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If testicular cancer spreads

  1. Home
  2. Cancer information
  3. Cancer types
  4. Testicular
  5. If cancer spreads
Print

Cancer cells can spread from the testicle to other parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis.

Understanding how a type of cancer usually grows and spreads helps your healthcare team plan your treatment and future care. If testicular cancer spreads, it can spread to the following:

  • lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen (called retroperitoneal lymph nodes)
  • lymph nodes around the main blood vessel in the body (called para-aortic lymph nodes)
  • distant lymph nodes in the pelvis, mediastinum or base of the neck
  • lungs
  • liver
  • bones
  • brain

Expert review and references

  • American Society of Clinical Oncology. Testicular Cancer: Stages. 2017.
  • Carver BS, Feldman DR. Staging of Testicular Cancer. Scardino PT, Lineham WM, Zelefsky MJ & Vogelzang NJ (eds.). Comprehensive Textbook of Genitourinary Oncology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2011: 32:544-557.
  • National Cancer Institute. Testicular Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – Health Professional Version. Bethesda, MD: National Cancer Institute; 2018. https://www.cancer.gov/.
  • Pagliaro LC and Logothetis CJ. Cancer of the testis. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, & Rosenberg SA. Cancer: Principles & Practice of Oncology. 10th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2015: 70:988-1004.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

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