Staging

Staging is a way of describing a tumor, such as where it is located, if or where it has spread, and if it is affecting the functions of other organs in the body. Doctors use diagnostic tests to determine the tumor's stage, so staging may not be complete until all of the tests are finished. Knowing the stage helps the doctor to decide what kind of treatment is best and can help predict a patient's prognosis (chance of recovery). There are different stage descriptions for different types of tumors.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the following stages are used for extracranial germ cell tumors:

Stage I: The tumor can be completely surgically removed, and has not spread to other areas of the body.

Stage II: Cancer has spread to surrounding tissue or lymph nodes. Cancer cells may not be able to be completely removed from the surrounding tissue with surgery.

Stage III: Cancer has spread to surrounding tissue, has affected several lymph nodes, is found in fluid in the abdomen, and the entire tumor cannot be removed from the surrounding tissue with surgery.

Stage IV: Cancer has spread to other organs, most commonly the lungs, liver, or brain.

Recurrent: Recurrent cancer is cancer that comes back after treatment. It may recur at the original site of the tumor or in another place.