Testicular Cancer Staging (Cont.)

Testicular Cancer Staging: Specific Stages

The following stages are used to describe the extent of testicular cancer:
 
  • Stage 0
  • Stage I
  • Stage II
  • Stage III
  • Recurrent.
     

Stage 0 Testicular Cancer

In stage 0, abnormal cells are only found in the tiny tubules where the sperm cells begin to develop. The abnormal cells do not invade normal tissues and all tumor markers are normal. Stage 0 testicular cancer is also called a precancerous condition or carcinoma in situ.
 

Stage I Testicular Cancer

Stage I is divided into stage IA, stage IB, and stage IS. The stage of testicular cancer is determined after a radical inguinal orchiectomy is performed.
 
Stage IA
In stage IA, the cancer is in the testicle, the epididymis, and the cancer may have spread to the inner layer of the membrane surrounding the testicle. All tumor marker levels are normal in stage IA.
 
Stage IB
In stage IB:
 
  • The cancer is in the testicle, the epididymis, and has spread to the blood or lymph vessels in the testicle

OR 

  • The cancer has spread to the outer layer of the membrane surrounding the testicle

OR

  • The cancer is in the spermatic cord or the scrotum and may be in the blood or lymph vessels of the testicle.

 

All tumor marker levels are normal in stage IB.
 
Stage IS
In stage IS, the cancer is found anywhere within the testicle, spermatic cord, or the scrotum, and:
 
  • All tumor marker levels are slightly above normal

OR

  • One or more tumor marker levels are moderately above normal or high.
     
(Testicular Cancer Staging Continued: Page 4)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD