Genetics Behind Testicular Cancer
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Testicular cancer awareness is crucial for early detection and successful treatment. It develops in the testicles, the male reproductive glands that produce sperm and testosterone. It is a relatively rare cancer, but it is common in young men (between the ages of 15 and 35). Around 1 in 250 males develops testicular cancer at some point in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
Symptoms: The most common symptom is a painless lump in a testicle. Other symptoms may include swelling or pain in the scrotum, a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum, a dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin, or tenderness or changes in the male breast tissue.
Genetics Behind Testicular Cancer
Genetics plays a significant role in testicular cancer. Studies show that around half of a man's risk of developing testicular cancer comes from inherited genes. This is a much higher percentage than most other cancers, where genetics typically accounts for less than 20% of risk. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) studies have identified over 20 susceptibility loci linked to testicular germ cell tumors, the most common type of testicular cancer. These loci likely harbor genes that play a role in testicular development or germ cell function.
Here's how SNPs influence testicular cancer risk:
- Disrupting gene regulation: Some SNPs might fall within regulatory regions of genes, affecting how much protein is produced or how the gene functions. This can lead to altered cellular processes that contribute to cancer development.
- Affecting protein function: In some cases, the SNP might directly change the amino acid sequence of a protein, potentially affecting its function and impacting testicular development or germ cell function.
While the individual effect of each SNP is likely small, researchers believe that a combination of these variations can contribute to an increased risk of developing testicular cancer. The good news is testicular cancer has a very high cure rate, exceeding 95% for all diagnosed men. Due to its high curability, the lifetime risk of dying from testicular cancer is very low, estimated to be around 1 in 5,000. Hence a preventive genetic evaluation is important for a proactive approach.
By raising awareness and encouraging self-checks, preventive genetic evaluation for testicular cancer can be effective in managing, saving lives and reducing the emotional and physical burden of the disease.