International trends in the incidence of testicular cancer, 1973-2002

According to a recent study, risk of testicular cancer remains relatively high in Northern European populations and low in Asian and African populations. Similar trends by histology suggest common risk factors.

Researchers concuded testicular cancer incidence remained highest in Northern European populations (8.0-9.0 per 100,000) and lowest in Asian and African populations (<1 per 100,000). One notable exception to this frame, however, was the very high rate reported by the Valdivia, Chile registry (8.8 per 100,000). In many populations, rates rose between 1973 and 2002, although the increases were strongest and most consistent among populations of European ancestry. In certain European populations, such as those of Denmark and of Geneva, Switzerland, some recent plateauing of rates was evident. There was little evidence of increase and possible evidence of a modest decline in rates among east Asian populations. Trends by histology (seminoma and nonseminoma) were generally similar to one another.