Causes and risk factors for testicular cancer

Following are the various causes and risk factors for testicular cancer.^1,2

Cryptorcidism or undescended testicles: About 10% of men with testicular cancer have a history of undescended testicles; repair before puberty is associated with two times increased risk, whereas repair after age 12 years increases the risk five times.

Family history: Having a brother with testicular cancer increases the risk 6–10 times.

White race: White men are at higher risk than Black men, and a genetic link is being investigated.

Infertility: Infertility and abnormal semen is an association, and men exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero are at risk.

Smoking: The risk is increased two times with a 12-pack-year (pack-year is a multiple of the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day and the number of years the person has smoked) smoking history even after smoking cessation.

No association has been found with diet and trauma.

Next page: Diagnosis of testicular cancer

Written by : Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 22, 2012