El cancer of testicle is increasing in young men And it is now the most common malignant solid tumor in men aged 15 to 35, according to the Institute of Advanced Urological Surgery (ICUA), which has launched an awareness campaign and specialized check-ups to mark the Testicular Cancer Awareness Month.
These data showing an increase in young people coincide with national epidemiological data, which show that This tumor has doubled in incidence in recent decadesAn analysis published in Spanish Urological Proceedings This trend is confirmed in Spain, with an average annual increase of 1,9% between 1990 and 2019 and an increase from 3,09 to 5,40 cases per 100.000 men.
“In our clinics, we are seeing an increasing number of young patients with this diagnosis, a rise that aligns with the evidence from national and international registries,” he notes. Dr. Luis Llanes, head of the Lithiasis and Endourology team at ICUA and president of the Madrid Urological Society. Although Mortality from testicular cancer remains very low (around 0,1-0,2 deaths per 100.000 men, according to estimates from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology – SEOM), the increase in incidence is generating concern among specialists.
Environmental factors under study
Recent research suggest that the Exposure to endocrine disruptors, such as certain pesticides and environmental chemicals, during pregnancy or in early childhood, This could contribute to this rise by interfering with testicular development.
A systematic meta-analysis published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health A consistent association was found between maternal exposure to endocrine disruptors and an increased risk of testicular cancer in offspring. Experts agree that this is a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors whose exact interaction is still being studied.
"The current treatment "The goal of testicular cancer treatment is not only to cure the patient—with success rates exceeding 95% when detected in its early stages—but also to preserve fertility and the patient's quality of life," explains Dr. Llanes. This multidisciplinary approach It allows the tumor to be treated while respecting testicular and hormonal function as much as possible, aspects that are especially relevant in young patients.
Risk factors for testicular cancer
Main risk factors for testicular tumors These are: being between 20-35 years old; suffering from cryptorchidism (an undescended testicle in childhood, even if it was corrected); a history of a father or brother with testicular cancer or having had a previous cancer of this type.
ICUA recommends consulting a urologist if you experience these symptoms: dull pain in the lower abdomen, groin, testicle, or scrotum; change in the size or shape of the testicle; a lump or mass in the testicle (with or without pain); a feeling of heaviness or fluid accumulation in the scrotum; breast tenderness or breast growth (rare but possible).
