Testicular Cancer Survival Rates Explained

Medically Reviewed By Teresa Hagan Thomas PHD, BA, RN

The survival rate for testicular cancer depends on factors such as age, stage, and overall health. Survival rates are estimates based on scientific research. Speak with your doctor about your outlook based on your personal circumstances. This article will discuss the statistics of testicular cancer. It will go over the survival rates for testicular cancer based on stage and age. Finally, it will explain what 5-year survival rates mean, where the numbers come from, and when to contact a doctor.

Testicular cancer statistics

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Testicular cancer is uncommon Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source . Only around 1 in every 250 people will develop testicular cancer at some point. Typically, people will receive a diagnosis of testicular cancer in their mid-thirties. While you can develop testicular cancer in your teenage years or past age 55, this is rare.

In recent decades, there has been an increase in cases of testicular cancer. However, researchers have yet to identify the reason behind this. The American Cancer Society estimates 9,910 new cases of testicular cancer in 2022. An estimated 460 cases in 2022 will result in death.

Treatments are available for testicular cancer. Approximately 1 in 5,000 cases of testicular cancer are fatal.

Learn more about testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer survival rate by stage

Doctors typically use the staging system from the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). This system bases the stage of cancer on the following:

  • the location of the tumor
  • the size of the tumor
  • whether or not it has spread to the lymph nodes
  • whether or not it has spread to other areas of the body

This familiar staging system for cancer includes stages 1–4. However, the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) Trusted Source National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Governmental authority Go to source  typically compiles survival rates for cancer. Instead of stages 1–4, SEER uses localized, regional, and distant stages.

SEER defines these stages in the following ways Trusted Source American Cancer Society Highly respected international organization Go to source :

  • Localized: In this stage, cancer has not spread outside of the testicles.
  • Regional: In this stage, cancer has spread to nearby structures or lymph nodes.
  • Distant: In this stage, cancer has spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, liver, or distant lymph nodes.

Below are the SEER relative 5-year survival rates for testicular cancer by stage.

5-year relative survival rate
Localized99%
Regional96%
Distant73%
Combined stages 95%

Read more about the types and stages of testicular cancer.

Testicular cancer survival rate by age

One factor that can affect survival rates is age. Below are the SEER 5-year relative survival rates Trusted Source National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Governmental authority Go to source  for testicular cancer based on age.

Age group5-year relative survival rate
15–39 years95.3%
40–64 years94.7%
50–64 years92.6%
65+ years83.8%
all ages 95%

5-year survival rate

Survival rates show what percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer are alive after a certain period following diagnosis. This timeframe is typically 5 years. These rates cannot tell you exactly how long you will live. However, they can give you an idea of how effective your treatment may be.

5-year relative survival rate

A relative survival rate is used to give an idea of how long someone with a specific condition may live after their diagnosis compared with someone without the condition. 

For example: A 5-year relative survival rate of 70% means that someone with that condition is 70% as likely to live for 5 years as someone without the condition. 

It is important to remember that these figures are estimates. Remember to talk with your doctor about your specific condition. 

Where the numbers come from

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) maintains the SEER database Trusted Source National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program Governmental authority Go to source . This database provides the survival rates for many different types of cancer, based on various factors.

The NCI uses the SEER database to track the 5-year survival rates for cancers like testicular cancer. They base these rates on:

  • types of cancer
  • stage of cancer
  • age
  • sex
  • race

SEER also tracks recent trends in incidences of types of cancer and mortality rates.

When to see a doctor

Tell your doctor about any changes to your testicles. Contact your doctor if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms of testicular cancer:

  • a painless lump
  • swelling in one or both testicles
  • changes to how your testicles feel
  • dull ache in your lower abdomen or groin
  • sudden buildup of fluid in your scrotum
  • pain or discomfort in your testicles or scrotum

Regular self-exams of your testicles can help find possible symptoms of testicular cancer early on.

Summary

Survival rates of testicular cancer depend on various factors. These include age, stage of cancer, and overall health.

All survival rate statistics are estimates. They cannot tell you exactly how long you may live following a diagnosis of testicular cancer. Instead, they can provide an understanding of how effective your treatment may be, based on previous cases. Speak with your doctor about your personal circumstances and how they affect your outlook.

Contact your doctor if you notice any changes in your testicles, such as lumps, pain, or swelling.

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Medical Reviewer: Teresa Hagan Thomas PHD, BA, RN
Last Review Date: 2022 Oct 6
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