What are the causes of testicular cancer (cancer of the testes)
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A cancerous tumour starts from one abnormal cell. The exact reason why a cell becomes cancerous is unclear. It is thought that something damages or alters certain genes in the cell. This makes the cell abnormal and multiply 'out of control'. (See separate leaflet called 'What Causes Cancer' for more details.)
In many cases testicular cancer develops for no apparent reason. However, certain 'risk factors' increase the chance that testicular cancer may develop. These include:
- Geography. The highest rate of testicular cancer occurs in white men in northern Europe. This may mean that there is some genetic or some environmental factor involved.
- Family history. Brothers of affected men have an increased risk of developing this cancer.
- Undescended testes. The testes develop in the abdomen, and usually descend into the scrotum before birth. Some babies are born with one or both testes which have not come down into the scrotum. This can be fixed by a small operation. There is a large increased risk in men who have not had their 'undescended testis' surgically fixed. There is still some increased risk in men who had an undescended testis fixed when they were a baby.
Vasectomy does not increase the risk of testicular cancer. (Several years ago there was a 'scare' linking vasectomy with testicular cancer. Studies have ruled out this link.)
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