FAQ's on Cancer

Testicular Cancer

It is not known exactly what causes testicular cancer. Although it is still quite rare, the number of men who develop it has been steadily increasing for the past few years. The reason for this is not known, but research is going on all the time into possible causes.

Testicular cancer is more common in men who have a testicle which has failed to descend. In the unborn child the testicles develop inside the abdomen between the kidneys and descend into the scrotum at birth or during the first year of life. If they move down later, or need surgery to bring them down, this increases the risk of testicular cancer.

Men with a brother or father who has had testicular cancer are more at risk of developing it (although the risk is still small). A particular gene has been found in some men with testicular cancer. It is possible that this gene is inherited and may be the reason why testicular cancer sometimes occurs in brothers or sons of men who have had the disease. Testicular cancer is more common in white people than black people. It occurs more commonly in wealthier social groups. The reasons for this are not known. No link between injury or sporting strains and testicular cancer has been found. There is no evidence that hot baths can cause testicular cancer, although these are commonly thought to be causes.

Vasectomy does not increase the risk of a man developing testicular cancer. There are two main types of testicular cancer -- seminomas and teratomas. Occasionally testicular tumours can be a mix of both types. Seminomas most commonly occur in men between 25 and 55 years of age, while teratomas usually affect younger men from 15 to about 35 years. These tumours are known as germ cell tumours