Testicular Cancer

Testicular cancer is the leading cancer worldwide in young men up to the age of 40 worldwide. The non-seminatous germ cell tumours can be further subdivided broadly into embryonal, yolk sac, trophoblastic, teratoma and finally mixed. A common reason for missed or delayed diagnosis of testicular cancer is a presentation that varies from the ‘classic' painless lump. In men with a suspected testicular malignancy the first line of investigation is an ultrasound of the testes, which has been reported to have 92–98% and 95–98% sensitivity and specificity respectively. The incidence of testicular cancer has increased in many countries and numerous studies have tried to investigate risk factors related to developing this disease. Cryptorchidism is a recognised risk factor for developing testicular cancer. Occupational studies have not confirmed any single profession as a risk factor, although some studies have found a higher risk of testicular cancer in firefighters, metalworkers, leatherworkers and aircraft technicians.