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stage III esophageal adenocarcinoma

(... ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul A-deh-noh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh)
Stage III is divided into stages IIIA and IIIB, depending on where the cancer has spread. In stage IIIA, cancer has spread (1) into the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, or submucosa layer of the esophagus wall. Cancer is found in 3 to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor; or (2) into the thick muscle layer of the esophagus wall. Cancer is found in 1 or 2 lymph nodes near the tumor. In stage IIIB, cancer has spread (1) into the thick muscle layer of the esophagus wall. Cancer is found in 3 to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor; or (2) into the connective tissue layer of the esophagus wall. Cancer is found in 1 to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor; or (3) into the diaphragm, pleura, sac around the heart, azygos vein, or peritoneum. Cancer may be found in 0 to 2 lymph nodes near the tumor.
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Stage IIIA adenocarcinoma of the esophagus; drawing shows the esophagus and stomach. A two-panel inset shows the layers of the esophagus wall: the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, submucosa layer, thick muscle layer, and connective tissue layer. The left panel shows cancer in the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, and submucosa layer and in 3 lymph nodes near the tumor. The right panel shows cancer in the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, submucosa layer, and thick muscle layer and in 1 lymph node near the tumor.Enlarge this image in new window
Stage IIIA adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Cancer has spread into the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, or submucosa layer of the esophagus wall. Cancer is found in 3 to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor; OR cancer has spread into the thick muscle layer of the esophagus wall. Cancer is found in 1 to 2 lymph nodes near the tumor.
Stage IIIB adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (1); drawing shows the esophagus and stomach. An inset shows the layers of the esophagus wall: the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, submucosa layer, thick muscle layer, and connective tissue layer. The left panel shows cancer in the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, submucosa layer, and thick muscle layer and in 3 lymph nodes near the tumor. The right panel shows cancer in the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, submucosa layer, thick muscle layer, and connective tissue layer and in 4 lymph nodes near the tumor.Enlarge this image in new window
Stage IIIB adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (1). Cancer has spread into the thick muscle layer of the esophagus wall. Cancer is found in 3 to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor; OR cancer has spread into the connective tissue layer of the esophagus wall. Cancer is found in 1 to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor.
Stage IIIB adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (2); drawing shows cancer in the esophagus and in the (a) diaphragm, (b) azygos vein, (c) pleura, and (d) membrane (sac) around the heart. Also shown are the airway, lung, aorta, chest wall, heart, and rib.Enlarge this image in new window
Stage IIIB adenocarcinoma of the esophagus (2). Cancer has spread into the (a) diaphragm, (b) azygos vein, (c) pleura, (d) sac around the heart, or peritoneum (not shown). Cancer may be found in 0 to 2 lymph nodes near the tumor.
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