Definition

Stage II is divided into stages IIA and IIB. In stage IIA, cancer (1) may have spread to the submucosa (layer of connective tissue between the mucosa and the muscle layer) of the stomach wall and has spread to 3 to 6 nearby lymph nodes; or (2) has spread to the muscle layer of the stomach wall and to 1 or 2 nearby lymph nodes; or (3) has spread to the subserosa (layer of connective tissue between the muscle layer and the outermost layer called the serosa) of the stomach wall. In stage IIB, cancer (1) may have spread to the submucosa of the stomach wall and has spread to 7 to 15 nearby lymph nodes; or (2) has spread to the muscle layer of the stomach wall and to 3 to 6 nearby lymph nodes; or (3) has spread to the subserosa of the stomach wall and to 1 or 2 nearby lymph nodes; or (4) has spread to the serosa of the stomach wall. Also called stage II gastric cancer.