Risks and causes of testicular cancer
Your risk of developing cancer depends on many factors. Anything that can increase your risk of cancer is called a risk factor.
We don't know what causes most cases of testicular cancer. But there are some factors that may increase your risk of developing it.
Having one or more risk factors doesn't mean that you will definitely get testicular cancer. As testicular cancer is rare, the risk of developing it is small even if you do have any risk factors.
Undescended testicles (cryptorchidism)
In the 
, the testicles develop in a male baby's abdomen. They usually move down into the at birth or in the first 6 months of life. If they do not move down, it's called undescended testicles and can affect one or both testicles. It is corrected by surgery. This is often done around 18 months of age, but the timing of surgery can vary.
There is an increased risk of testicular cancer in people with undescended testicles.
The risk is greater:
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where the condition isn’t corrected
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if surgery takes place after puberty
Abnormal cells in the testicle (Germ cell neoplasia in situ or GCNIS)
Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) means that there are abnormal cells in the testicle. It isn't cancer. There is no lump and usually no other symptoms. This used to be called carcinoma in situ, or CIS.
If left untreated, GCNIS can develop into cancer within 5 years in about 50 out of 100 (about 50%) of the men who have it.
Doctors might find and diagnose GCNIS when you have a testicular biopsy to check for infertility.
Your doctor will discuss treatment for GCNIS with you. This may include surveillance or surgery. In some situations, you might have low dose radiotherapy.
Family history
Brothers or sons of men who have had testicular cancer have an increased risk of getting this cancer.
Some of the increase in risk is thought to be caused by changes in certain . We need more research to understand how these gene changes affect the risk of testicular cancer.
Previous testicular cancer
If you have had testicular cancer already, there is a small increased risk of developing cancer in the other testicle.
It is important to attend follow up appointments after treatment.
Hypospadias
Men who are born with an abnormality of the penis and have an increased risk of developing testicular cancer. This is called hypospadias. It is a condition where the opening of the urethra is not at the end of the penis but somewhere else along the penis. It is usually identified at birth and is treated by surgery.
HIV
People with or AIDS have an increased risk of testicular cancer. But most cases of testicular cancer are not linked to being HIV positive.
You usually have antiviral drugs to treat HIV/AIDS. Some evidence suggests that these drugs cancel the increased risk linked with the infection.
Ethnic background
In the UK, white men have a higher risk of testicular cancer than men from other ethnic groups.
Are there other causes?
Stories about possible cancer causes are often in the media and it can be hard to know what’s true and what’s not. You may have heard of something that isn’t included here. This is because we only include a risk factor in this information if it is supported by good quality evidence.
Reducing your risk
There are ways you can reduce your risk of cancer.
More information about testicular cancer risks and causes
We have more detailed information for health professionals about testicular cancer risks and causes.
