Men who suffer from infertility are also more likely to develop testicular cancer, according to a new study. There may be some common underlying factor affecting the male reproductive system.

Summary

Men who have treatment for infertility were monitored for occurrence of testicular cancer. The study found that men diagnosed with infertility were nearly three times more likely to develop the condition. It may be that common exposure to some underlying factor causes both testicular cancer and male infertility.

Introduction

With the advent of modern reproductive technology, more and more men are being investigated, along with their partners, for infertility. There is also concern that male infertility is on the rise, perhaps because of exposure to hormone-like chemicals in the environment. Testicular cancer also appears to be on the increase. So a new study investigates whether there is, in fact, a link between the two conditions.

What was done

A team at the University of California analyzed data from 22,562 male partners of couples requesting fertility treatment between 1967 and 1998. Of these 4,549 proved to have male factor infertility. This data was then linked to data from the cancer registry.

What was found

There were 34 cases of testicular cancer occurring in the whole group. Compared to men of the same age in the general population, men in couples seeking infertility treatment were 1.3 times more likely to develop testicular cancer. Those actually diagnosed with male infertility were 2.8 times more likely to develop the disease.

What this study means

These men were presenting for infertility investigation and treatment and it is, of course, possible that these interventions somehow increase the risk of testicular cancer. It may also be that increased screening and monitoring, as part of infertility treatment, uncovers previously undiagnosed cancer in the testis. The researchers believe neither of these factors is likely to be the cause. Instead, it is more likely that there is some underlying common factor that predisposes men towards testicular cancer - and environmental hormone-like compounds could certainly fill the bill.

Source

Increased risk of testicular germ cell cancer among infertile men TJ. Walsh,  et al, Archives of Internal Medicine, February 2009, vol. 169, pp. 351--356