Unlike some types of cancer, where the risk factors for developing the disease maybe under one’s control, most of the risk factors for testicular cancer are uncontrollable. The causes of testicular cancer are not well understood. Congenital abnormalities, hormonal drugs, infections, and heredity have been suggested as factors that could increase a man's risk of developing testicular cancer.

Risk factors include:

Cryptorchidism, or undescended testicle(s)
About 10 percnent of cases of testicular cancer occur in men with a history of cryptorchidism.

Family history
A family history of testicular cancer increases the risk

Age
Ninety percent of testicular cancers occur between the ages of 20 and 54.

Race and ethnicity
The risk of testicular cancer among white men is about five times that of black men and more than three times that of Asian-American and American Indian men.