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The causes of testicular cancer are not well known and in most men in which testicular cancer is diagnosed, the cause is not known. It is also not clear why the number of men with testicular cancer continues to increase.
There are certain risk factors that have been linked with the disease. These are: Undescended testis During pregnancy the testes of the unborn male baby grow in the baby’s abdomen. For most boys before birth, the testes move down or descend into the scrotum. Undescended testes (cryptorchidism) is a condition where one or both testes are not lowered into the scrotum, but remain in the abdomen after the first year of life. Undescended testes happen in about one in 100 boys.
About one in 10 men with testicular cancer have had undescended testes in childhood. Men with a history of undescended testes after infancy have around five times the risk of testicular cancer compared to men with normally descended testes. The risk of testicular cancer in adult life may be lower if surgery to fix the problem takes place in the baby’s first year of life.
Where there has been a single undescended testis, the risk of testicular cancer is generally, but not always, limited to the side of the undescended testis.  Back to top
History of testicular cancerCancer in one testis is a major risk factor for the development of cancer in the other testis. About one in 25 men who have had testicular cancer in one testis may develop cancer in the other testis. Back to top
History of male infertilityMen who have been diagnosed with fertility problems, particularly those who had undescended testes, may also have a greater chance of developing testicular cancer compared to men with normal fertility.
Pre-cancer cells (carcinoma in-situ) are sometimes found in testicular biopsies from infertile men. Men with infertility should regularly check for changes in the testes.
Some men with testicular cancer are also found to have low sperm counts. However, it is uncertain if this is because of the testicular cancer, or if it is a sign of an underlying infertility problem. Back to top
Family historyFamily history, having a father, brother or uncle with testicular cancer, is only a minor risk factor for testicular cancer.
Down Syndrome
Down Syndrome increases a man's risk of testicular cancer. Studies have suggested that men with Down syndrome are genetically more likely to get testicular cancer, gastrointestinal cancer and luekaemia.
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