Testicular Cancer Facts
November 22, 2024
This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Alexander Chehrazi-Raffle, M.D., assistant professor, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope® Cancer Center Duarte
Testicular cancer is an uncommon disease, but it’s the leading cause of cancer among men between the ages of 20 and 34. It’s estimated that approximately 9,760 men will be diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2024.
What Is Testicular Cancer?

Testicular cancer occurs when cells in the testicles change, or mutate, and grow out of control. This disease develops in the testes, the organs where sperm is developed and where male hormones form. The testes are also called testicles, and one testicle is referred to as a testis.
What Causes Testicular Cancer?
Testicular cancer develops when the DNA of cells within the testes change and then begin to grow out of control, crowding out healthy cells. Although scientists can’t yet pinpoint what causes most cases of testicular cancer, some risk factors have been known to increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
What Increases the Risk of Testicular Cancer?
Researchers have identified several factors that may raise the risk of developing testicular cancer, including those listed below.
Undescended testicle: One of the main risk factors for testicular cancer is having an undescended testicle. Also referred to as cryptorchidism, an undescended testicle typically forms while a baby is still in the womb, and it prevents the testicle from descending into the scrotum.

Age: Approximately half of testicular cancer cases are found in men in their 20s and 30s.
Race and ethnicity: White men have a higher risk for testicular cancer.
Cancer in the other testicle: Men who have had testicular cancer in one testicle are at higher risk for developing it in the other one.
Family history: Having a father or brother with testicular cancer increases the risk that a man will develop this disease as well.
HIV infection: Men infected with HIV may have a higher risk for developing testicular cancer.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (March 2023). Testicular Cancer: Statistics.
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/testicular-cancer/statisticsAmerican Cancer Society (2024, January 17). Key Statistics for Testicular Cancer.
https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/testicular-cancer/statisticsAmerican Cancer Society (2024, February 1). Risk Factors for Testicular Cancer.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/testicular-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htmlAmerican Cancer Society (May 17, 2018). What Causes Testicular Cancer?
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/testicular-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/what-causes.html