What is it? Testicular cancer is an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells that forms a
tumour in one or both testicles. Men have two testicles (testes, gonads) that are located in the scrotum, a pouch of loose skin found below and at the base of the penis. The testicles are responsible for producing sperm and male
hormones (mainly testosterone) that regulate reproductive
organ development.
Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in males between 20 and 40 years of age. About 2,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer in the UK each year. Caucasian males are at a greater risk than are those of African, Hispanic, or Asian descent, although the cause for this additional risk is not known. Other risk factors include undescended testicles (cryptorchidism), abnormal development of the testes (gonadal dysgenesis), a sex chromosome disorder, Klinefelter’s syndrome, and a family or personal history of testicular cancer.
Germ cell tumours account for about 90% of testicular cancers. They are separated into seminomas and non-seminomas. Seminomas make up about half of testicular germ cell tumours, occurring most frequently in middle-aged men. They tend to grow very slowly and usually do not
metastasize. Non-seminomas occur earlier in life. They mainly affect men in their 20’s and tend to grow and spread more quickly than seminomas.
About 4-5% of all (and 20% of children’s) testicular cancers form in the stromal tissues that support the testes and produce hormones. These tumours may secrete oestradiol, a form of female sex hormone, causing breast tissue development (gynaecomastia).
While testicular cancer is one of the most curable forms of cancer, with a cure rate in excess of 90%, most types will spread if left unchecked, first invading and damaging the other testicle before metastasizing and being carried by the lymph nodes to other body organs, such as the lungs. Early detection and treatment is crucial to a favourable outcome.
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