Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism and ADHD, may lead to a slightly increased risk of seminoma testicular cancer, according to a new study.
Research published in the British Journal of Cancer during Testicular Cancer Awareness Month, analysed medical records of 6,166 patients who were suffering from the condition.
After comparing data with 61,660 men who didn't have testicular cancer, they found that neurodevelopmental disorders may increase risks of seminoma tumours by just under one percent.
While the condition is relatively rare, around 2,400 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer every year, according to Cancer Research UK.
Researchers did not find an increased risk of testicular cancer in patients with a psychiatric diagnosis, but there was a significant increase of risk for the seminoma type of testicular cancer.
Around 55 to 60 out of every 100 testicular cancers are pure seminomas, which are malignant germ cell tumours, says Cancer Research.
This is the first research study to provide a link between neurodevelopmental disorders and the risk of testicular cancer.
"We also saw that people with a previous psychiatric diagnosis had a slightly increased risk of dying from their testicular cancer compared to people without a previous psychiatric diagnosis, although testicular cancer survival rates were generally very good in both groups," says Anna Jansson, doctoral student at Uppsala University and Physician at Uppsala University Hospital.
The researchers said that those with neurodevelopmental disorders were also on average younger when they developed testicular cancer.
"The study also found that people with a neurodevelopmental disorder were a median of four years younger when they developed cancer and were more likely to have more advanced disease at diagnosis," notes Ingrid Glimelius, Senior Consultant at the Department of Oncology at Uppsala University Hospital and Professor at Uppsala University.
The risk of testicular cancer is still very low even among boys and men with conditions such as autism and ADHD, and there is no need to worry if you have these diagnoses.
However, as there is an increased risk, it remains important to be aware of signs, symptoms and any changes that may appear.
"As testicular cancer can be surgically removed, thus curing the disease, it is important to seek care in time if you feel a lump in your testicle," adds Dr Glimelius.
"Since we can see a reduced survival rate among people with a mental health issue, it is important for the health care system, the individuals in question and their families to be aware that they may also be affected by another illness, and to ensure they seek treatment if they feel a lump in their testicle. This disease can be cured in most people today," concludes the researcher.
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