stage III testicular cancer

Definition of stage III testicular cancer

stage III testicular cancer (...tes-TIH-kyoo-ler KAN-ser): Stage III is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIA, cancer is found anywhere in the testicle and may have spread into the spermatic cord or scrotum. Cancer may have spread to one or more nearby lymph nodes. Cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or to the lungs. All tumor marker levels are normal or slightly above normal. In stage IIIB, cancer is found anywhere in the testicle and may have spread into the spermatic cord or scrotum. Cancer has spread (1) to one or more nearby lymph nodes and has not spread to other parts of the body; or (2) to one or more nearby lymph nodes. Cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or to the lungs. The level of one or more tumor markers is moderately above normal. In stage IIIC, cancer is found anywhere in the testicle and may have spread into the spermatic cord or scrotum. Cancer has spread (1) to one or more nearby lymph nodes and has not spread to other parts of the body; or (2) to one or more nearby lymph nodes. Cancer has spread to distant lymph nodes or to the lungs. The level of one or more tumor markers is high. OR, cancer is found anywhere in the testicle and may have spread into the spermatic cord or scrotum. Cancer has not spread to distant lymph nodes or the lung, but has spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver or bone. Tumor marker levels may range from normal to high.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms