Statistics

• Testicular cancer is the leading cancer in men ages 15 to 35


• In this age group, more men will die of testicular cancer than women of breast cancer


• Every hour a male is diagnosed with testicular cancer


• Approximately 8,590 new cases will arise in 2012 in the US


• 1 out of 270 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer


• Approximately 360 deaths will occur in 2012


• If detected early, testicular cancer is the most curable cancer

The rate of testicular cancer has been increasing in the United States and many other countries. The increase is mostly in seminomas. Experts have not been able to find reasons for this increase. Lately, the rate of increase has slowed.

Testicular cancer is not common; a man's lifetime chance of developing testicular cancer is about 1 in 270. Because treatment is so successful, the risk of dying from this cancer is very low: about 1 in 5,000.

Testicular cancer is highly curable when detected early, and 95% of patients with testicular cancer are alive after a five-year period. However, about half of men with testicular cancer do not seek treatment until the cancer has spread beyond the testicles to other locations in the body.

Risk Factors

• Undescended testicles 

• Urological birth defects

• Family history

• Caucasian men

The cause of testicular cancer is unknown. Certain risk factors may increase your chance of developing the disease. Testicles normally move from the abdomen into the scrotum before birth. A testicle that remains in the abdomen which is called an undescended testicle or cryptorchidism may become cancerous. Parents should make sure that their infant boys are checked at birth for undescended testicles. Even after surgery for undescended testicles, you are still at risk. Other birth defects of the urogenital system, including penis malformations, kidney malformations and a congenital inguinal hernia, may also increase your risk of developing testicular cancer. If a close relative has had testicular cancer, you may also be at risk. White males have a significantly higher risk of developing testicular cancer than black males.

Last Medical Review: 01/19/2012