Introduction

The testicles contain several types of cells that can lead to different types of cancer. Germ cell tumors may be classified as seminomas or non-seminomas. Seminomas develop from the sperm-producing germ cells within the testes. Non-seminomatous germ cell tumors are comprised of several different tumors. Cancers of the testes are relatively rare, with about 7,000 cases a year in the United States, accounting for approximately 400 deaths. However, testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers among young men, typically striking between the ages of 15 and 34. In addition, as recently described by division surgeon Dr. James M. McKiernan, the rate of testicular cancer in the United States has risen 51% since World War II for unknown reason. Caucasian men are five times as likely to develop testicular cancer as African American men. It is a highly treatable and usually curable form of cancer. Studies show that it has a cure rate in all stages combined that exceeds 95%.