Risk factors

Testicular cancer is generally found in young men. The exact cause of testicular cancer is unknown and many men without risk factors develop testicular cancer. Strong connections between certain lifestyles, habits or activities, such as bike riding, have not been made with testicular cancer. Injuries and strains will not increase the risk of developing testicular cancer.

• Age: Young men between the ages of 15-35 are at the highest risk for testicular cancer. However, it can occur in men of any age.
• Race: Testicular cancer is 7 times times more common in white men verses black men. Historically the risk for Hispanics, American Indians and Asians falls between that of white and black men. However, recent data indicates the rates in the Hispanic population has be rising at alarming levels and may now actually be higher than the rates seen in white men. From 1992 to 2021 the rates in all groups were shown to be increasing.
• Non-Descending Testicle (Cryptochidism): Normally, after birth, the testicles descend from inside the abdomen down into the scrotum. In about 1 in 25 men one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum. Men with a history of a non-descending testicle are 3 to 8 times more likely to develop testicular cancer than men whose testicles descended normally. Surgery to correct the non-descended testicle (orchiopexy) may not reduce the risk of testicular cancer but may allow for better observation of the testicle for abnormalities.
• Gonadal Dysgenesis: Abnormal development of a gonad (testicle) which is usually part of a genetic syndrome increases the risk of testicular cancer.
• Klinefeter Syndrome: A genetic syndrome where males are born with an extra X chromosome increases the risk of testicular cancer.
• Personal or family history of testicular cancer: Having a father or brother with testicular cancer may increase one’s risk of developing testicular cancer.
• Weaker evidence suggests that infertility, testicular atrophy, twinship or abnormal semen parameters may increase one’s risk for testicular cancer.
• Carcinoma in situ (CIS) or Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), also known as intratubular germ cell neoplasia (ITGCN): The presence of carcinoma in situ in the testicle increases the risk for testicular cancer.

Causes

The exact cause of most testicular cancers remains unknown, but scientists have linked the disease to certain genetic and chromosomal changes. Research shows that alterations in a cell’s DNA can trigger cancer by activating oncogenes or deactivating tumor suppressor genes.

Most testicular cancer cells contain extra copies of a segment of chromosome 12, known as isochromosome 12p (i12p), and some exhibit abnormalities in other chromosomes, including extra copies. Scientists continue to study these genetic changes to better understand how they contribute to the development of testicular cancer.

While most cases are not directly inherited, having a close relative—such as a father or brother—with testicular cancer increases the risk. Identical twins also have a significantly higher likelihood of developing the disease if one twin is affected. Additionally, certain inherited conditions, such as Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome, are associated with a greater risk of testicular cancer. Researchers are actively investigating genetic markers that may contribute to susceptibility, aiming to improve early detection and prevention strategies.

Statistics

Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men 15-35 years old.

Each year, approximately 10,000 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer and approximately 600 men will die from the disease. That averages out to every hour of every day one man is diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer strikes approximately 6 in 100,000 men per year and 1 in 300,000 men per year will die from the disease. To better understand these numbers, 1 in 250 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer at some point in their lifetime.

Because testicular cancer usually can be treated successfully, a man’s lifetime risk of dying from this cancer is VERY LOW: about 1 in 5,000

The overall 5-year survival rate is 95%, but the key is early detection.

When testicular cancer is diagnosed in early stages, meaning the cancer is confined to the testis, the 5-year survival rate is over 99%. When the cancer has spread to regional lymph nodes the 5-year survival rate drops to 96%. If the cancer has metastasized (spread) to distant areas the 5-year survival rate is 73%.

Unfortunately, half of all men diagnosed with testicular cancer do not seek medical attention until after the cancer has spread to other areas of the body.

There are currently close to 300,000 men in the U.S. that are testicular cancer survivors.

Testicular cancer accounts for approximately 1% of all cancers in men but accounts for 4% of all male cancer survivors.