Testicular Cancer

Introduction & Pictures

Testicular cancer is a form of cancer that develops within the testes.

The testicles or testes are two male glands located inside the scrotum (a loose bag of skin beneath the penis). They are part of the male reproductive system and the endocrine system, producing sperm and male hormones. Testicular cancer begins in the testes’ cells. Normally, the testes cells grow and divide in a regulated manner. Only a specific number of cells are produced in order to keep the testes healthy and functioning properly. When this process is impaired, the cells grow and divide uncontrollably and in an exaggerated fashion, causing tumors to form. The type of tumor that represents an abnormal mass or growth (which can invade and destroy the adjacent tissues and organs if not treated, and can cause death) is called cancer.

Testicular cancer is a rare form of cancer, representing only 1 percent of all male cancers (in men of all ages) and 5 percent of all male genitourinary system cancers. However, testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men between the age of 15 and 35, and the second most common malignancy in men between the age of 35 and 39. In rare cases (3 percent), testicular cancer can also develop in young boys.

Testicular cancer usually develops in one testis, but between 2 and 3 percent of testicular cancer cases develop in both testes either at the same time or successively.

Not long ago, testicular cancer was considered a difficult and dangerous type of cancer, but today it is more effectively diagnosed and treatment options have greatly increased the survival rate of men with testicular cancer.

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Article by Alina Morrow, MS
Medical Writer
OmniMedicalSearch.com

Page Covers: What is testicular cancer?

Illustration of testicles and penis.

Side view, male reproductive and urinary organs, testicular tumor highlighted.

Three rendered Illustrations of how cancer cells appear. The lower right is an actual cancer cell under high-scale magnification.

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