[Epidemiology of testicular cancer]

Testicular carcinoma is a rare disease, with an incidence ranging from 0.2 (Blacks in Connecticut) to 7.8 (Denmark) in the World, and ranging from 2.5 to 4.3 in French Cancer Registries. An increase among young men has recently been described in Denmark and in England (Mortality Data between 1936 and 1976). Survival is 75% after five years, all histological types combined. No role as a risk factor "per se" has been confirmed for Genetics alone (Twins study in Finland), but a familial RR of 6 has been observed among first degree relatives of testicular carcinoma cases. Most interesting is a study by A.R. Moss, showing a RR of 4.4 among cases whose mother on had a breast cancer, as it emphasizes a possible role or hormones for non seminomatous testicular cancer.