stage III gastric cancer

Definition of stage III gastric cancer
National Cancer Institute

stage III gastric cancer

(... GAS-trik KAN-ser)
Stage III gastric cancer is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC. In stage IIIA, cancer has spread (1) to the muscle layer of the stomach wall. Cancer has spread to 7 to 15 nearby lymph nodes; or (2) to the subserosa (layer of connective tissue next to the muscle layer) of the stomach wall. Cancer has spread to 3 to 6 nearby lymph nodes; or (3) to the serosa (outermost layer) of the stomach wall. Cancer has spread to 1 to 6 nearby lymph nodes; or (4) to nearby organs, such as the spleen, colon, liver, diaphragm, pancreas, abdomen wall, adrenal gland, kidney, or small intestine, or to the back of the abdomen. In stage IIIB, cancer (1) may have spread to the submucosa (layer of tissue next to the mucosa) or to the muscle layer of the stomach wall. Cancer has spread to 16 or more nearby lymph nodes; or (2) has spread to the subserosa or to the serosa of the stomach wall. Cancer has spread to 7 to 15 nearby lymph nodes; or (3) has spread to nearby organs, such as the spleen, colon, liver, diaphragm, pancreas, abdomen wall, adrenal gland, kidney, or small intestine, or to the back of the abdomen. Cancer has spread to 1 to 6 nearby lymph nodes. In stage IIIC, cancer has spread (1) to the subserosa or to the serosa of the stomach wall. Cancer has spread to 16 or more nearby lymph nodes; or (2) to nearby organs, such as the spleen, colon, liver, diaphragm, pancreas, abdomen wall, adrenal gland, kidney, or small intestine, or to the back of the abdomen. Cancer has spread to 7 or more nearby lymph nodes.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms