Cancer that originates in the testicles is referred to as testicular cancer. This is a condition that most commonly affects young and middle aged men, between the ages of 15 and 35. Fortunately, testicular cancer is highly treatable, even if it has spread outside of the testicles.
Testicular Cancer Causes
The exact causes of testicular cancer are not entirely clear. However, researchers know that cancer occurs when the DNA of healthy cells become altered for some reason. When a cell is healthy, it grows, divides, and dies at a normal pace in order to keep your body functioning as it should. But when cells develop abnormalities, it causes cellular growth to become out of control, since cells will continue dividing when they should die. The accumulation of cells will form a mass or tumor.
Testicular cancer nearly always begins in the germ cells of the testicles, which are responsible for producing immature sperm. Why these cells are frequently the ones to become cancerous has not yet been determined.
Testicular Cancer Risk Factors
Though the causes of testicular cancer are unknown, it has been proven to be associated with certain factors and conditions. The things that may increase your risk of developing testicular cancer include:
- An undescended testicle: Also called cryptorchidism, this is one of the main risk factors for testicular cancer. This condition means that one or both testicles have failed to move from the abdomen to the scrotum before birth. Even if the testicle is surgically placed into the scrotum, men with this condition are significantly more likely to develop testicular cancer at some point in their lives than men with normally descended testicles.
- Abnormal testicle development: There are some conditions, such as Klinefelter’s syndrome, that cause the testicles to develop abnormally. This will also increase your risk of developing testicular cancer.
- HIV infection: While no other infections have been shown to increase the risk of testicular cancer, men with HIV and AIDS are more likely to develop testicular cancer than men who do not.
- Age: Though testicular cancer can occur in males of any age, including infants and elderly men, over half of the cases of testicular cancer occur in young and middle aged men between the ages of 20 and 34.
- Race: White males are four to five times more likely to develop testicular cancer than men of other races and ethnicities. Worldwide, the risk of this disease is highest among men who live in the United States and Europe and lowest among men who live in Asia or Africa.
- Family history: If a close blood relative such as a brother or father have had testicular cancer before, this increases the risk that you will get it as well. However, most men with testicular cancer do not have a family history of the disease.
- Previously having testicular cancer: Another risk factor is having a personal history of testicular cancer. Around 3% to 4% of men who have been cured of testicular cancer in the past will eventually develop testicular cancer in the other testicle.
