A 62-year-old postmenopausal woman presents with watery, blood-stained vaginal discharge and a barrel-shaped cervical tumor extending to the lower third of the vagina but not to the pelvic wall. MRI shows no parametrial invasion. According to FIGO 2018 staging, what is the correct stage?
- A Stage IIA
- B Stage IIB
- C Stage IIIA ✓
- D Stage IIIB
Correct answer: C. Stage IIIA
Explanation
Stage IIIA is defined as carcinoma extending to the lower third of the vagina without extension to the pelvic wall. Stage IIA involves the upper two-thirds of the vagina without parametrial invasion. Stage IIB has parametrial invasion. Stage IIIB extends to the pelvic wall or causes hydronephrosis. The barrel-shaped cervix describes the lesion morphology but does not itself upstage the disease.
Reference: FIGO Committee on Gynecologic Oncology: Revised FIGO Staging for Carcinoma of the Cervix Uteri, 2018 ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.