Estrogen exposure during gestation and risk of testicular cancer

Cryptorchidism : a major risk factor, 1983

Abstract

In this case–control study of 108 cases of testicular cancer in men under 30 years of age,

cryptorchidism was a major risk factor [relative risk (RR) = 9.0].
Low birth weight was also associated with increased risk (RR = 3.2).
Having severe acne at puberty was protective (RR = 0.37).
Interviews with mothers of cases revealed that exposure of the mother to exogenous estrogen during pregnancy created a significant risk in the son (RR = 8.0).
In first pregnancies, excessive nausea indicated an increased risk of testicular cancer (RR = 4.2).
Increased body weight in the mother also increased the risk. The relation between these factors and testicular hypoplasia is discussed.
Severe perimenopausal menorrhagia was a factor in the mother associated with reduced risk of testicular cancer in the son (RR = 0.10).

A modified hormonal milieu in the mother appears to be important in the later development of testicular cancer in her sons.

Estrogen exposure during gestation and risk of testicular cancer, Journal of the National Cancer Institute, NCBI PubMed, PMID: 6140323, 1983 Dec.
Featured image credit Sebastian Kanczok.