Testicular cancer is rare but it is the most common cancer in men between the ages of 15 and 45.
There are nearly 2,000 new cases diagnosed in the UK every year and if detected early, it is almost always curable.
If the cancer is not treated, some cancer cells can spread to nearby lymph glands or the lungs or other parts of the body.
There are two common types of testicular cancer: seminomas and teratomas.
Teratomas usually affect younger men. Seminomas grow very slowly and usually do not spread to other parts of the body.
Causes and Risk Factors
It is not known what causes testicular cancer but some men are more at risk than others.
Undescended testicles at birth or late descent of the testicles increase risk. A family history of a brother, father or son with testicular cancer also increases risk.
Hot baths, sporting injuries, riding a bike, and having a vasectomy do not cause testicular cancer.
