Causes and Risk Factors
The causes of testicular cancer remain unknown; risk factors include undescended testes (Cryptorchidism) and family history.
The causes of testicular cancer remain unknown but experts have identified a few risk factors that predispose an individual to develop the cancer. A family history of testicular cancer naturally increases the chances for any person to develop the condition.
Some of the other risk factors include:
- Cryptorchidism (or undescended testicles) generates a 10-40 fold increase in risk of developing testicular cancer
- Early onset of puberty
- Klinefelter syndrome (with a genotype of 47, XXY)
- Mumps
- Inguinal hernia
- Trauma to testis
- Atrophic testis
Majority of men who develop testicular cancer do not harbor these known risk factors. Men who are physically active have decreased risks for developing the disease while those who lead sedentary lives are at an increased risk.
