Descriptive epidemiology of testicular and prostatic cancer in Los Angeles.

Data from the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program (CSP) from 1972 to 1975 were used to study the descriptive epidemiology of testicular cancer and prostatic cancer. The very high black/white ratio and late age peak of cancer of the prostate contrasted sharply with the very low ratio and early age peak of testicular cancer. However, both sites had higher rates among upper occupational and social class groupings. Avalable descriptive and analytical research suggests that the etiology of prostatic cancer is most probably related to hormonal influences rather than to a horizontally transmitted agent, while the etiology of testicular cancer is most probably related to endogenous or exogenous hormonal influences in utero or in infancy, or to in utero exposure to other exogenous agents.