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Open Access 29-08-2022 | Mini Review

Environmental disruptors and testicular cancer

Authors: Fabiana Faja, Sandro Esteves, Francesco Pallotti, Gaia Cicolani, Silvia Di Chiano, Enrico Delli Paoli, Andrea Lenzi, Francesco Lombardo, Donatella Paoli

Published in: Endocrine | Issue 3/2022

Abstract

Purpose

Testicular cancer (TC) is the most common malignancy among young adult males. The etiology is multifactorial, and both environmental and genetic factors play an essential role in the origin and development of this tumor. In particular, exposure to environmental endocrine disruptors (EEDs), resulting from industrialization and urbanization, seems crucial both in pre-and postnatal life. However, the lack of long-term studies on a wide caseload and the difficulty in evaluating their toxic effects in vivo make it challenging to establish a causal link. This review aims to discuss the main human epidemiological studies currently available in the literature to define a possible association between these chemicals and TC.

Methods

A comprehensive Medline/PubMed and Embase search was performed, selecting all relevant, peer-reviewed papers in English published from 2002 to January 2022. Other relevant papers were selected from the reference lists.

Results

To date, literature evidence is limited due to the scarcity and heterogeneity of human studies and shows controversial data, highlighting the complexity of the topic. However, most human epidemiological studies seem to point toward a correlation between EEDs exposure and TC.

Conclusion

Although the molecular mechanisms are not yet fully understood, the role of EEDs in TC onset is plausible, but several factors, such as the individual genetic background, the exposure time, and the complex mechanism of action of these chemicals, do not allow defining the causal link with certainty and make further studies necessary to investigate this complex topic.

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Title: Environmental disruptors and testicular cancer
Authors: Fabiana Faja
Sandro Esteves
Francesco Pallotti
Gaia Cicolani
Silvia Di Chiano
Enrico Delli Paoli
Andrea Lenzi
Francesco Lombardo
Donatella Paoli
Publication date: 29-08-2022
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Endocrine / Issue 3/2022
Print ISSN: 1355-008X
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0100
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-022-03171-z

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