Table 16. Definitions of TNM Stage IIIB Adenocarcinoma

StageGrade TNMa,bDescriptionIllustration
IIIBAnyT3, N2, M0T3 = Tumor invades adventitia.
Stage IIIB adenocarcinoma of the esophagus; drawing shows the esophagus and stomach. An inset shows the layers of the esophagus wall with cancer in the mucosa, submucosa, muscle, and connective tissue layers. Also shown is cancer in 4 lymph nodes.
Stage IIIB adenocarcinoma of the esophagus. Cancer has spread into the connective tissue layer of the esophagus wall. Cancer is found in 3 to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor.
N2 = Metastases in 3–6 regional lymph nodes.
M0 = No distant metastasis.

T = primary tumor; N = regional lymph nodes; M = distant metastasis.

Reprinted with permission from AJCC: Esophageal and esophagogastric junction. In: Edge SB, Byrd DR, Compton CC, et al., eds.: AJCC Cancer Staging Manual. 7th ed. New York, NY: Springer, 2010, pp 103–15.

The explanations for superscripts a–b are at the end of Table 18.

From: Esophageal Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)

Cover of PDQ Cancer Information Summaries
PDQ Cancer Information Summaries [Internet].
Bethesda (MD): National Cancer Institute (US); 2002-.
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