In the FIGO 2018 staging, pelvic lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer now constitutes which stage, regardless of primary tumor size or local extent?
- A Stage IIIC1 ✓
- B Stage IIB
- C Stage IIIB
- D Stage IVA
Correct answer: A. Stage IIIC1
Explanation
FIGO 2018 introduced Stage IIIC: pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node involvement. Stage IIIC1 = pelvic lymph node metastasis (detected radiologically — IIICr — or pathologically — IIICp). Stage IIIC2 = para-aortic lymph node metastasis. This was a major revision from FIGO 2009, which did not include lymph node status in staging. Adding lymph node status now allows radiological staging (MRI, PET-CT) to assign Stage IIIC1 without requiring surgical staging.
Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.