What is testicular cancer?
Testicular cancer starts in the cells of a testicle. There are two testicles that are part of a man’s reproductive system. These egg-shaped organs hang below the penis in a pouch of loose skin called the scrotum. The testicles are held in the scrotum by the spermatic cord. The spermatic cord contains the ductus deferens, some lymph nodes, veins and nerves.
Testicles make male sex hormones (mostly testosterone) and sperm. Sperm begins to form in “germ” cells inside the testicles.
Most testicular cancers start in the germ cells and are called germ cell tumours*. There are two main types of germ cell tumours – seminomas and non-seminomas. Each type grows differently and is treated differently. Both types can be treated successfully.
Last modified on:
21 September 2010
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