Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is cancer of the testicles, the glands that produce sperm and testosterone in men. The most common testicular cancers are germ cell tumors, which start in the cells that make sperm. Though it is the most commonly occurring cancer in men 15 to 34 years old, testicular cancer is rare, with around 8,600 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year. The disease is highly treatable with a five-year survival rate of approximately 95%. In addition to mainly affecting young men, risk factors for developing testicular cancer include abnormal testicle development; a family history of testicular cancer; and being Caucasian. Symptoms include swelling, lumps, fluid build-up, and discomfort in the testicular area. The stages of testicular cancer range from I to III, depending on tumor size and spread. Testicular cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.