Adolescent and adult risk factors for testicular cancer

Abstract

The incidence of testicular cancer has been increasing over the past several decades in many developed countries. The reasons for the increases are unknown because risk factors for the disease are poorly understood. Some research suggests that exposures in utero or in early childhood are likely to be important in determining an individual's level of risk. However, other research suggests that exposure to various factors in adolecence and adulthood are also linked to the development of testicular cancer. Of these, two occupational exposures—firefighting and aircraft maintenance—and one environmental exposure (to organochloride pesticides) are likely to be associated with increased risk of developing testicular cancer. By contrast, six of the identified factors—diet, types of physical activity, military service as well as exposure to ionizing radiation, electricity and acrylamide—are unlikely to increase the risk of developing testicular cancer. Finally, seven further exposures—to heat, polyvinylchloride, nonionizing radiation, heavy metals, agricultural work, pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls as well as marijuana use—require further study to determine their association with testicular cancer.

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls and hexachlorobenzene, semen quality and testicular cancer risk

“…This is in accordance with literature studies that have identified dairy products and milk consumption as an important risk factor for testicular cancer [20][21][22]. In fact, the consumption of milk and dairy products is highest in Scandinavian countries, which have the highest incidence of testicular cancer; in contrast, Asian and African countries have the lowest consumption of these products and the lowest incidence of testicular cancer.…”

Testicular cancer in two brothers of a quadruplet: a case report and a review of literature

“…Other risk factors are small birth weight, small gestational age, inguinal hernia, twinning (7), adult height, and a low BMI (8, 9) -possibly as proxies of the birth-cohort effect. Somewhat less relevant are professional (firefighting, aircraft maintenance) and environmental (organochloride pesticides, marijuana use) risk factors (10,11).…”

Testicular cancer: an overview of contemporary practice

“…1 A previous history of TC confers a 12-fold risk of developing disease in the contralateral testis, and history of TC in a first-degree relative confers a 12-fold risk. 5 Maternal oestrogen exposure and greater adult height are also associated with increased risk. 6 Testicular dysgenesis syndrome (TDS) is a developmental abnormality causing impaired spermatogenesis and infertility, associated with cryptorchidism, hypospadias and possibly inguinal hernias.…”

“…1 Non-GCTs account for less than 5% of TC cases and include stromalcell tumours such as Leydig cell and Sertoli cell tumours. 5 GCNIS is a pre-invasive precursor to GCT and is present in the contralateral testis in up to 5% of those with TC. Untreated, 50% of cases will develop invasive cancer within five years.…”