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.
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We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week