Stage III is divided into stages IIIA, IIIB, and IIIC, depending on where the cancer has spread. In stage IIIA, cancer has spread to (1) the serosa (outermost) layer of the stomach wall and is found in 1 or 2 lymph nodes near the tumor; or (2) the subserosa (layer of tissue next to the serosa) of the stomach wall and is found in 3 to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor; or (3) the muscle layer of the stomach wall and is found in 7 or more lymph nodes near the tumor. In stage IIIB, cancer has spread to (1) nearby organs such as the spleen, transverse colon, liver, diaphragm, pancreas, kidney, adrenal gland, or small intestine, and may be found in 1 or 2 lymph nodes near the tumor; or (2) the serosa (outermost layer) of the stomach wall and is found in 3 to 6 lymph nodes near the tumor; or (3) the subserosa (layer of tissue next to the serosa) of the stomach wall and is found in 7 or more lymph nodes near the tumor. In stage IIIC, cancer has spread to (1) nearby organs such as the spleen, transverse colon, liver, diaphragm, pancreas, kidney, adrenal gland, or small intestine, and may be found in 3 or more lymph nodes near the tumor; or (2) the serosa (outermost layer) of the stomach wall and is found in 7 or more lymph nodes near the tumor.