The testicles are two small, egg-shaped glands, located below the penis in the sac of loose skin called the scrotum, that produce the male hormone testosterone and sperm.
Testicles contain several types of cells. Most testicular cancers start in germ cells, which produce sperm. Rarely, germ cell tumors begin in the abdomen or chest. These tumors are treated the same way as testicular cancer.
Testicular cancer is the most common solid tumor diagnosed in men between the ages of 15 and 35. However, it is a relatively rare type of cancer, which accounts for only about 1 percent of all cancers in men. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 8,000 new cases of testicular cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year.
Not long ago, testicular cancer was a difficult disease to treat. Advances in treatment mean that most men with testicular cancer, especially those diagnosed when the cancer is at an early stage, can now expect to survive the disease. In fact, the cure rate for all stages and types of testicular cancer combined is higher than 90 percent.
For information about the different types of testicular cancers, visit the Diagnosis and Staging section of this cancer information overview.
