Cancer of the Testis
What should people know about cancer of the testis?
The testes are smooth, oval-shaped male sex glands located behind the penis in a pouch of skin called the scrotum. They produce male hormones and, after sexual maturity, sperm. Testicular cancer is relatively rare. Each year in New York State approximately 500 men are diagnosed with this disease.
Who gets cancer of the testis?
The incidence of testicular cancer has doubled in the past twenty years. Most of the increase is among young men ages 15-44. Cancer of the testis is the most common cancer among white males aged 20 to 34 years. It is the second most common cancer among white males aged 15 to 19 years and 35 to 39 years.
In the United States, the incidence of testicular cancer is six times higher among white males than African-American males. Among Hispanic, Native American and Asian males testicular cancer occurs less frequently than among whites but more frequently than among African-Americans.
Cancer of the testis occurs more frequently in men with higher income and education levels. Men who work as professionals and skilled non-manual workers have twice the risk of getting testicular cancer than blue-collar workers.
What causes cancer of the testis?
At this time, scientists do not know exactly what causes testicular cancer. We do know that testicular cancer occurs more often in men with certain medical conditions, including undescended testis. Research also indicates that men in white collar or professional occupations are at higher risk for testicular cancer, suggesting that socioeconomic status or lifestyle may be linked to risk factors for this cancer. Employment in the military, aviation equipment support, crude petroleum and natural gas extraction, printing and leather finishing industries has been associated with cancer of the testis. Occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, solvents and dyes, metals, metal dust and possibly cutting oils may be associated with testicular cancer.
What does it mean when something "is associated with" cancer of the testis?
It means that there is a link between the two, but there is no proof of cause and effect. More research needs to be done before we know for certain.
What can I do to reduce my chances of getting cancer of the testis?
Currently testicular cancer cannot be prevented. Regular testicular self-examination and examination by your health care provider increase the chances that cancer of the testis will be diagnosed early, when it is most treatable.
Cancer of the Testis Signs and Symptoms
- Lump in either testicle
- Enlargement of the testicle
- Feeling of heaviness or collection of fluid in the scrotum
- Pain or discomfort in a testicle or in the scrotum
- Breast enlargement or tenderness.
Terms
- Incidence
- The number of newly diagnosed cases of a disease. Here it refers to the number of newly diagnosed cases of cancer.
- Risk Factor
- A risk factor is something that has been associated with an increased chance of getting a disease. It is not necessarily a direct cause of the disease.
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
- a group of over 100 different chemicals formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, wood, garbage or other once-living substances such as tobacco or charbroiled meat.
