Testicular Cancer: What Increases Your Risk

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What Increases Your Risk

Several conditions may increase your chances of getting testicular cancer. These risk factors include:^{1 3}

• An undescended testicle (cryptorchidism). This is a testicle that has not moved down (descended) from the abdomen into the scrotum. Normally the testicles descend before or soon after birth. Surgery is usually done to move an undescended testicle into the scrotum. This makes it possible to check the testicle over time. Some experts say that it may lower testicular cancer risk when done early.^{6 7} But, there has not been enough research to prove that this is true.
• Klinefelter syndrome. This is a genetic disorder that affects males. Normally, males have one X and one Y chromosome. Males with Klinefelter syndrome have at least two X chromosomes and, in rare cases, as many as three or four.
• A family history of testicular cancer.

Men with infertility from sperm problems have a higher rate of testicular cancer than average. Experts don't yet know if the cancer and sperm problems share the same cause, or if one causes the other.⁴

Most men who get testicular cancer don't have any known risk factors.

Last updated:	February 05, 2007
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC