Testicular cancer

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer among young men and has a very good prognosis. In 2023, 260 new cases of testicular cancer were registered in Norway.

Last updated: 8/12/2024

Testicular cancer is a rare cancer that usually occurs in men aged 20-40 years. It is the most common cancer in men between 15 and 49 years old.

More than 90 percent of testicular tumors are so-called germ cell tumors, which develop from cells that produce sperm. These tumors are divided into two main types: seminoma and non-seminoma.

Treatment for testicular cancer depends on the type of cancer and the extent of the disease. Some patients are followed up with only surgery, while others are offered additional treatment with chemotherapy and, in rare cases, radiation therapy.

Risk factors

One reason for the development of testicular cancer may be that the testicles did not descend into the scrotum before birth (cryptorchidism), and lie in the groin or higher up. The risk increases if the testicle is not operated into the scrotum before puberty.

Furthermore, underdeveloped testicles (gonadal dysgenesis), which are different types of errors in the distribution of the sex chromosomes, can increase the risk of developing testicular cancer.

Reduced sperm quality is associated with an increased risk.

Cancer in one testicle gives an increased risk of getting cancer in the other testicle

HIV infection increases the risk of developing testicular cancer.

Environmental factors are suspected as contributing factors due to large geographical differences in incidence. The environmental impact already occurs in fetal life while the testicles are developing.

Testicular cancer can be hereditary. If the father has testicular cancer, the risk of testicular cancer increases by 4-6 times for the son. In case of illness in a brother, the risk is increased by 8–10 times.

Source: kreftforeningen.no

New cases

A total of 260 men in Norway were diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2023. The rate, number of cases per 100,000 person-years, is 9.3.

Age distribution

The median age for testicular cancer is 36 years, meaning half of those diagnosed are over 36 years old.

Testicular cancer is most common in men aged 20-40. In 2023, 131 men under 40 were diagnosed with this cancer.

Survival

The prognosis for testicular cancer is very good, with a five-year relative survival rate of 99 percent in 2023.

The survival rate for patients with metastases is slightly lower, at 89.0 percent.

Figure: Shows relative survival of testicular cancer by age, 2019-2023, from figure 8.2-Q in Cancer in Norway 2023

Survivors after testicular cancer

As of December 31, 2023, there were 8,901 people in Norway who had been diagnosed with testicular cancer at some point in their lives—this is known as prevalence.

Of these, 1151 were diagnosed less than five years ago, and 6035 are long-term survivors, having been diagnosed more than 10 years ago.

In the past 10 years, there have been over 2000 more survivors of testicular cancer.

Deaths in 2022

4 people in Norway died from testicular cancer.

Developement over time

Incidence rates for testicular cancer have been steadily increasing since 1965, doubling over the past 50 years.

Norway has one of the highest incidences in the world, along with Sweden, and also boasts the best survival rates in Europe.

There has been a significant increase in survival since the mid-1970s, with nearly 100 percent of patients surviving testicular cancer for five years or more.

Figure: Shows trends in incidence (dark blue), mortality (light blue), and five-year relative survival (green) of testicular cancer from 1965-2023, from figure 9.1-Q in Cancer in Norway 2023

Questions about cancer

Our professionals do not answer questions about diagnosis, investigation, treatment, and follow-up from patients or their relatives.