Risk Factors for Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer occurs in the testicles (testes), which are located inside the scrotum, a loose bag of skin underneath the penis. The testicles produce male sex hormones and sperm for reproduction. Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even when cancer has spread beyond the testicle. Depending on the type and stage of testicular cancer, you may receive one of several treatments, or a combination.  Healthy cells grow and divide in an orderly way to keep your body functioning normally. But sometimes some cells develop abnormalities, causing this growth to get out of control — these cancer cells continue dividing even when new cells aren’t needed. The accumulating cells form a mass in the testicle.

Risk factors for Testicular Cancer are given below–

• An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism).The testes form in the abdominal area during fetal development and usually descend into the scrotum before birth. Men who have a testicle that never descended are at greater risk of testicular cancer than are men whose testicles descended normally. The risk remains elevated even if the testicle has been surgically relocated to the scrotum.

Still, the majority of men who develop testicular cancer don’t have a history of undescended testicles.

• Abnormal testicle development.Conditions that cause testicles to develop abnormally, may increase your risk of testicular cancer.
• Family history.If family members have had testicular cancer, you may have an increased risk.
• Germ cell tumor of testis affects teens and younger men, particularly those between ages 15 and 35. However, it can occur at any age.
• Testicular cancer is more common in white men than in black men.