Are there different types of testicular cancer?
More than 95% of all testicular cancers are classified as germ-cell tumours.1 Germ cells are primitive cells located primarily in the male and female gonads (testes and ovaries, respectively). In males, germ cells are responsible for producing sperm.
Germ-cell tumours of the testes generally appear as one of two types: seminomas and non-seminomas (also called NSGCTs). Both types of germ-cell cancers display similar symptoms and cure rates. However, they tend to differ somewhat in the way they spread, or metastasize, and in their response to various treatments. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is very important to a successful treatment program.
Lymphomas and other non-germ cell tumours make up the other 5% of testicular cancers.1 These uncommon types of testicular cancer have different characteristics than germ-cell tumours, particularly in their tendency to appear later in life.
| Author: | Douglas Dana Kathe Gallagher, MSW | Last Updated: April 12, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine Christopher G. Wood, MD, FACS - Urology/Oncology | |
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