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• Testicular Cancer
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There is no known way to prevent cancer of the testicles – the best protection is early detection.

Researchers recently found the first evidence of specific genetic variations that increase the risk of developing testicular cancer

The deCODEme Complete Scan identifies these genetic variants and uses them to provide you with a personalized interpretation of your genetic risk for developing testicular cancer.

In addition to producing sperm, the testicles (testes) are also the main source of the male hormone testosterone

The testicles are reproductive glands found only in men

These two small organs are located within the scrotum and are held in place by the spermatic cord, which also contains the vas deferens (the narrow seminal fluid tubes), as well as the arteries, veins and nerves that are connected to the testicles (see figure of the male reproductive system). In addition to producing sperm, the testicles are also the main source of the male hormone testosterone, which controls the development of male body characteristics such as the deep voice, beard growth, muscle development, and male sex drive.

Testicular Germ Cell Tumors (TGCT) are the main type of testicular cancer

The testicles contain various kinds of cells which can develop into different types of cancer in one or both of the testicles. The two main types of primary testicular cancer (cancer that starts within the testicles) are:

• Germ cell tumors – develop from the germ cells that make sperm. These are most common, comprising about 90% of all testicular cancer. Based on the characteristics of the cells in this type of tumor, germ cell tumors are further classified as seminomas (a slow-growing testicular cancer usually found in men in their 30s and 40s) and nonseminomas (a more common type of testicular cancer that tends to grow more quickly than seminomas).
• Stromal tumors – grow in other parts of the testicles, such as the cells that make hormones. These are much rarer than germ cell tumors, usually occur during childhood and are very rarely cancerous.

Testicular cancer can also rarely develop as a secondary tumor, or from cancer that spreads to the testicles from other parts of the body through metastasis).

Testicular cancer is most common in young men of European descent

Based on cancer statistics from 2004-2006, the lifetime risk of developing testicular cancer is 0.37%. In other words, 1 in 270 men are expected to be diagnosed with testicular cancer at some time during their lifetime.

The risk of dying from testicular cancer is generally very low, because it is most often detected early enough to be treated successfully. Regular self-examination of the testicles is the best way for a man to detect testicular cancer as early as possible.

For unknown reasons, testicular cancer is most common among young men of European descent, and much rarer among men of Asian and African descent. Also baffling to scientists is the increasing incidence of testicular cancer in most developed parts of the world. In many places, it has almost doubled in the past 40 years (see for example Huyghe, et al, 2003). Although the reasons for this increase are still unclear, environmental factors are strongly suspected.

Genetics play a significant role in the development of testicular cancer

Hereditary factors have long been known to play a role in the development of testicular cancer. However, researchers only recently found the first evidence of specific genetic variations, on chromosomes 5, 6 and 12, that increase the risk of developing testicular germ cell tumors, the most common form of testicular cancer.

deCODEme calculates your genetic risk for testicular cancer

The deCODEme Complete Scan identifies these genetic variants and uses them to provide male customers of European descent with a personalized interpretation of their genetic risk for developing testicular cancer.

At present, the necessary scientific information to interpret the genetic risk for men of other ethnicities is not available. This information will be added as soon as it becomes available and we are assured of its quality.

This content was last reviewed on February 23, 2011.

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