Tumor Staging of Endocervical Adenocarcinoma: Recommendations from the International Society of Gynecological Pathologists

Abstract

The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) updated its staging system for cervical cancer in 2018 with changes that affect size criteria for early stage disease, as well as including pathology and radiology in addition to clinical assessment to be used in staging. Lymph node involvement was also included in the staging system. In early stage disease, pathologic findings are crucial in determining stage, which in turn determine treatment and prognosis for the patient. Therefore, it is imperative that there are unified and consistent methods and recommendations for assessing and reporting pathologic parameters for accurate staging. We describe the changes in the revised FIGO staging scheme and discuss controversial issues in cervical cancer staging from a pathologic perspective. We also provide practical recommendations regarding these parameters based on literature review and/or expert opinion/consensus.