The causes of testicular cancer

It is not known exactly what causes testicular cancer. Although it is still quite rare, the number of men who develop it has been steadily increasing for the past few years. The reason for this is not known, but research is going on all the time into possible causes.

Testicular cancer is more common in men who have a testicle that has failed to descend. In the unborn child the testicles develop inside the abdomen between the kidneys and descend into the scrotum at birth or during the first year of life. If the testicles do not descend this increases the risk of testicular cancer.

Men with a brother or father who has had testicular cancer are slightly more at risk of developing it (although the risk is still small). Research has shown that a particular gene is the cause of testicular cancer in some men. It is possible that this gene is inherited and may be the reason why testicular cancer sometimes occurs in brothers or sons of men who have had the disease.

Testicular cancer is more common in white men than African or Asian men. It occurs more commonly in wealthier social groups. The reasons for this are not known.

It is not clear whether injury to the testicle can cause a testicular cancer. Vasectomy does not increase the risk of a man developing testicular cancer.