In recent years, no less than 19 chromosomal mutations have been linked to testicular cancers.
This article explores the causes and risk factors for testicular cancer.
Testicular canceris an uncommon cancer affecting just over 9,000 American men each year.
Illustration by Joshua Seong, Verywell
Genetics
There are several different types of testicular cancer.
The vast majority are classified as germ cell cancers.
These are malignancies that arise from the cells that produce spermatozoa (immature sperm).
More than with other types of cancer, these mutations run in families.
Having a father with testicular cancer increases your risk four-fold.
Some risk factors are related to lifestyle.
According to the American Cancer Society, the average age at the time of testicular cancer diagnosis is 33.
Native American men, meanwhile, have a risk between Whites and Blacks.
If they don’t do so by four months of age, the condition will be diagnosed as cryptorchidism.
Other Possible Causes
There are other conditions that may increase your risk of testicular cancer.
Some of these are strongly supported by research, while others confer a relatively small increase in risk.
Marijuana
Marijuana may be a risk factor for testicular cancer.
Obesity
Being overweight neither increases your risk of testicular cancer nor your chance of relapsing after treatment.
This shouldn’t suggest that putting on a few extra pounds is a good thing.
In fact, if you are overweight and undergotesticular cancer treatment, your risk of cardiovascular risk may skyrocket.
However, prostate cancer does not increase testicular cancer risk.
The best way to find a lump at an early stage is to perform regularself examinations.
Yes, testicular cancer can be cured and has a high survival rate, especially when found early.
With regional metastasis to nearby structures or lymph nodes, the survival rate is 96%.
With distant metastasis to other areas such as the lungs or liver, the survival rate is 73%.
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