Testicular Cancer Stages 1, 2, & 3

Testicular Cancer Stages 1, 2, & 3

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To get an accurate diagnosis, we must learn the stage and tumor type. Then you and your care team can choose a treatment that’s right for you.  

MSK doctors use the results of many tests to diagnose a germ cell tumor. They learn the stage of the disease and if it has spread.  

Our doctors use the TNM system to tell how advanced the tumor is. 

  • T: The tumor’s size. 
  • N: Whether cancer has spread to the lymph nodes in the pelvis or abdomen (belly). 
  • M: Whether the cancer metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body.
  • S: Whether blood tests show your serum tumor markers ([STM)) are high. 

Testicular cancer stages 0, 1, 2, 3

  • Stage 1 testicular cancer is when the cancer is only in the testicle. There’s no sign it has spread. 
  • Stage 2 testicular cancer is when the cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes in the retroperitoneum (REH-troh-PAYR-ih-toh-NEE-um). This is an area in the abdomen (belly). 
  • Stage 3 testicular cancer is when the cancer spreads to the chest, lungs, liver, bones, or brain. 

Your care team may add a letter (A, B, C, or S) to these stages. This letter gives us even more information about the cancer.  

Learn why MSK is expert at diagnosing cancer

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