Environmental Public Health Tracking: Testicular Cancer Data
Cancer is a term used for diseases where abnormal cells divide without control and can invade other tissues. Cancer is not just one disease, but many diseases. There are more than 100 different types of cancer.
Testicular cancer is one type of cancer. Review the answers to frequently asked questions below for more information about testicular cancer.
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Answers to frequently asked questions
Cancer that starts in the testicles is called testicular cancer. The testicles are made up of many types of cells, each of which can develop into one or more types of cancer. The main testicular cancer types are:
- Germ cell tumors. Cancer that starts in the cells that make sperm, called germ cells. More than 90% of testicular cancers are germ cell tumors, and the main types of germ cell tumors are seminomas and non-seminomas.
- Carcinoma in situ of the testicle. Cancer that starts as a non-invasive form of the disease and has not yet spread to where sperm cells are formed.
- Stromal tumors. Cancer that starts in the supportive and hormone-producing tissues of the testicles, or stroma. The main types of stromal tumors include Leydig cell tumors and Sertoli cell tumors.
Men with the following risk factors may be more likely than others to develop testicular cancer:
- An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism)
- Family or personal history of testicular cancer
- HIV infection
- Carcinoma in situ of the testicle
- White/Caucasian race
- Taller body size
More research is needed to understand the relationship between testicular cancer and environmental exposures.
Since testicular cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer among adolescents and young men aged 15-34, some researchers have believe that early life exposure to environmental toxins, especially endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in pesticides, may contribute to testicular cancer.
Some researchers also suggest that prenatal exposures to a developing male fetus could lead to the development of testicular cancer after birth. However, these theories are not conclusive and require additional research.
It is not possible to prevent most cases of testicular cancer at this time because most known risk factors, like undescended testicles and family history of testicular cancer, cannot be changed. However, some testicular cancers can be detected at an early stage by a doctor or by performing regular self-examinations.
Anyone with a family or personal history of testicular cancer or other risk factors should talk to their doctor to learn more.