Germ-Cell Tumors

Testicular cancer is rare, accounting for 1% to 2% of all male malignancies. Nearly 90% to 95% of tumors arising in testis are germ cell in origin. Other sites of malignant germ cell tumors include the retroperitoneum, mediastinum, sacrococcygeal region, and pineal gland. The highest incidence is seen in Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark (1). There has been a significant disparity in the incidence of testicular cancer among the white and black populations in the United States, with higher incidence rates in the white population. Recent studies, however, show that this is changing, with an increased incidence of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) among black men (2). Though these are one of the most frequent malignancies in the 15 to 50 age group, they are still relatively rare, with the incidence in that age group being 2 to 9/100,000 per year (1).