Click Image to Enlarge.
What is Testicular Cancer?
Testicular cancer is a cancer that forms in the testicles, the male reproductive organs. The testicles are two small glands in the scrotum (the sac under the penis) that produce sperm and the male hormone testosterone. Testicular cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in younger men between the ages of 20 and 34. Fortunately, doctors usually can remove the tumor and successfully treat the disease when it is detected early.
Types of Testicular Cancer
There are two main types of testicular cancer: germ cell tumors and stromal tumors.
Germ Cell Tumors
Germ cell tumors are the most common form of testicular cancer, making up over 90% of all testicular cancer diagnoses. These tumors develop in the sperm-producing germ cells of the testicles. There are two primary types of germ cell tumors:
-
Seminoma
Seminomas are the most common form of germ cell tumor and make up about half of all testicular cancer diagnoses. Seminomas are usually slow-growing and rarely spread (metastasize) beyond the testicle, so they can be treated and removed in an early stage.
-
Nonseminoma
Nonseminomas are a more aggressive form of testicular cancer and are more likely to invade healthy tissue and spread beyond the testicle. These tumors usually occur in men between their late teens and early 30s.
Stromal Tumors
Stromal Tumors form in the stromal tissues of the testicle that produce testosterone and other male hormones. These tumors make up about 20% of pediatric testicular cancers and occur more frequently in children.
