You will have a range of tests to show whether the testicular cancer has spread elsewhere in your body (the stage). There are several staging systems for testicular cancer, but the most commonly used is the TNM system.
Learn more about:
TNM system for testicular cancer
Testicular cancer is often staged using the TNM system. In this system, letters and numbers are used to describe the cancer, with higher numbers indicating larger size or spread.
| T (tumour) | describes whether the cancer is only in the testicle (T1) or has spread into nearby blood vessels or tissue (T2, T3, T4) |
| N (nodes) | describes whether the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes in the abdomen – N0 means it has not and N1–3 means it has |
| M (metastasis) | describes whether the cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes, organs or bones – M0 means it has not and M1 means it has |
Staging
Based on the TNM scores and the levels of tumour markers in the blood, the doctor then works out the cancer’s overall stage from stage 1 to stage 3:
- stage 1 – cancer is found only in the testicle (early-stage cancer)
- stage 2 – cancer has spread outside the testicle to nearby lymph nodes in the abdomen or pelvis
- stage 3 – cancer has spread to lymph nodes outside the abdomen or pelvis (e.g. in the chest) or other areas of the body.
Prognosis
Prognosis means the expected outcome of a disease. You may wish to discuss your prognosis with your doctor, but it is not possible for anyone to predict the exact course of the disease.
To assess your prognosis, your doctor will consider:
- your test results
- the type of testicular cancer you have
- the stage of the cancer
- other factors such as your age, fitness and medical history.
Regular monitoring and review (active surveillance) are major factors in ensuring good outcomes, so it’s vital that you attend all your follow-up appointments.
→ READ MORE: Your health care team
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A/Prof Peter Grimison, Medical Oncologist, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, NSW; Marc Diocera, Genitourinary Nurse Consultant, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; A/Prof Peter Heathcote, Urologist, Brisbane Urology Clinic, QLD; Dr Michael Huo, Radiation Oncologist, Princess Alexandra Hospital, QLD; A/Prof Joseph McKendrick, Medical Oncologist, Epworth Eastern Hospital, VIC; Dr Tonia Mezzini, Sexual Health Physician, East Obstetrics and Gynaecology, SA; Dominic Oen, Clinical Psychologist, Bankstown Cancer Centre, NSW; Dr Benjamin Thomas, Urological Surgeon, The Royal Melbourne Hospital and The University of Melbourne, VIC; Paul Zawa, Consumer.
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