A 42-year-old woman with cervical carcinoma is found to have a 4.5 cm tumour confined to the cervix without parametrial extension on MRI. Pelvic lymph node biopsy shows three positive nodes, all <5 mm. According to FIGO 2018 staging, this is:
- A Stage IB3
- B Stage IIIC1 ✓
- C Stage IIIB
- D Stage IIB
Correct answer: B. Stage IIIC1
Explanation
The landmark change in FIGO 2018 cervical cancer staging is the incorporation of lymph node status: pelvic lymph node involvement upstages disease to Stage IIIC1 (pelvic nodes) regardless of primary tumour size or extent. Para-aortic node involvement = IIIC2. The primary tumour, confined to cervix at 4.5 cm, would be IB3 if nodes were negative; positive pelvic nodes override to IIIC1.
Reference: Shaw's Textbook of Gynaecology, 17th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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