adenocarcinoma

Definition of stage I esophageal adenocarcinoma
National Cancer Institute

stage I esophageal adenocarcinoma

(... ee-SAH-fuh-JEE-ul A-deh-noh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh)
Stage I is divided into stages IA, IB, and IC, depending on where the cancer has spread. In stage IA, cancer has spread into the mucosa layer or thin muscle layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade 1 or the grade is not known. Grade 1 cancer cells look more like normal cells under a microscope and grow and spread more slowly than grade 2 and 3 cancer cells. In stage IB, cancer has spread (1) into the mucosa layer or thin muscle layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade 2. Grade 2 cancer cells look more abnormal under a microscope and grow and spread more quickly than grade 1 cancer cells; or (2) into the submucosa layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade 1 or 2 or the grade is not known. In stage IC, cancer has spread (1) into the mucosa layer, thin muscle layer, or submucosa layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade 3. Grade 3 cancer cells look more abnormal under a microscope and grow and spread more quickly than grade 1 and 2 cancer cells; or (2) into the thick muscle layer of the esophagus wall. The cancer cells are grade 1 or 2.

Source: NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms