Global patterns and trends in testicular cancer incidence and mortality: A population-based ecological study

To examine the up-to-date global burden, long-term trends, and future projections of testicular cancer (TC) incidence and mortality.

We analyzed GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates for TC incidence and mortality in 185 countries and territories, Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Plus data and WHO mortality data for long-term trends, and GLOBOCAN Cancer Tomorrow projections for future disease burden. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs), age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs), mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs), average annual percentage changes, and projections to 2050 were evaluated by geography and national Human Development Index (HDI) values.

In 2022, 72,040 new TC cases and 9,068 deaths occurred worldwide, corresponding to an ASIR of 1.69 and an ASMR of 0.21 per 100,000. Incidence was highest in Europe, particularly Western Europe (ASIR, 8.67 per 100,000), whereas mortality was highest in Latin America and the Caribbean (ASMR, 0.58 per 100,000). ASIR correlated positively with HDI (ρ = 0.776), whereas MIR was strongly inversely correlated with HDI (ρ = -0.897). Longitudinal data suggested stabilization in traditional high-incidence regions but rising incidence in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Asia. By 2050, incident cases are projected to increase by 22.7%, whereas deaths are projected to increase by 40.0%, with the largest increases in low-HDI countries and Africa.

TC incidence remains concentrated in highly developed regions, but mortality and future burden increasingly reflect inequalities in cancer-care delivery. Strengthening early diagnosis, treatment access, and specialized oncology infrastructure in emerging high-burden regions is needed.