Genes Affect Risk of Testicular Cancer

Common versions of genes increase the risk of cancer of the testicles, a study has found. Researchers scanned all genes of 277 men with testicular cancer and 919 men without it. The biggest risk was linked to a gene called KTLG. Men with two copies of the most common version of this gene were 4½ times more likely to get testicular cancer than men with two copies of the less common versions. Researchers also looked at versions of genes next to a gene called SPRY4. Men with two copies of the common versions were about 1½ times more likely to get cancer than men with two copies of less common versions. Many men have these common gene versions. More study is needed to find out what other factors lead to cancer. Nature Genetics published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it June 1.