Oklahoma City Thunder’s Nikola Topić Diagnosed with Testicular Cancer at Age 20: What to Know About the Disease

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topić has been diagnosed with testicular cancer, his manager announced. The 20-year-old Serb underwent a biopsy procedure earlier this month that led to his diagnosis, Sam Presti told the media, adding that Topić has begun chemotherapy treatments. “He had a testicular procedure at the very beginning of training camp,” Presti told reporters, calling the procedure "necessary" for Topić's biopsy. “The results of the biopsy have returned, and he is dealing with a case of testicular cancer,” Presti confirmed. The Thunder's general manager also said Topić has “a tremendous group of oncologists" working on his treatment, “and they are extremely positive about his outlook in dealing with this situation.” Presti added

that it's “important to note that testicular cancer is the most curable form of cancer among males.” Topić was drafted by the Thunder in 2024 with the 12th overall pick but was forced to sit out the entire 2024-2025 season while recovering from a torn ACL. He intended to make his NBA debut this fall, before his cancer diagnosis.

What is testicular cancer?

Testicular cancer is a cancer of the testicles, most common in young men aged between 20 and 34 years. According to doctors, this cancer is usually curable, with a survival rate of over 95 per cent. Testicular cancer happens when malignant cells develop in the tissues of one or both testicles. Your testicles - two walnut-shaped sex glands produce sperm and the hormone testosterone. They sit inside a sac of skin that lies below your penis, known as the scrotum. Like any other cancer, testicle cancer is a serious condition. Fortunately, testicular cancer is highly treatable and curable. According to experts, testicular cancer is rare, affecting only about 1 in 250 men across the world. Still, it is the most common cancer among men aged 15 to 35 years.

What causes testicular cancer?

Doctors say testicular cancer develops when cells multiply faster than usual, eventually forming a lump or tumour. While researchers are not sure what causes cells to behave this way, they do know that the cells that get testicular cancer are usually germ cells. There are many factors that increase your cancer risk, which include:

Age

Most commonly, cancer affects people between the ages of 15 and 35 years.

Undescended testicles

Testicles form in the abdomen of a fetus during pregnancy and usually drop into the scrotum before birth. The ones that don’t drop require surgery. Being born with this condition may increase your testicular cancer.

Race and ethnicity

This cancer is more common among non-Hispanic whites.

Personal or family history

You may be more likely to develop testicular cancer if a biological parent or sibling had it.

Infertility

Some of the same factors that cause male fertility may also be related to the development of testicular cancer.

Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer

While the most common sign of testicular cancer is a painless lump in your testicle, a few others include:

• Swelling or sudden fluid build-up in your scrotum
• A lump or swelling in either testicle
• A feeling of heaviness in your scrotum
• Dull ache in your groin or lower abdomen
• Pain or discomfort in your scrotum or a testicle
• A shrinking testicle

Doctors say most of these symptoms can also occur with other conditions, too; there is no need to worry or raise alarm if you notice them. It is best to see a doctor and get a proper diagnosis.