Endometrial cancer and surgical staging: a personal assessment

In 1998, FIGO introduced a new staging system for endometrial cancer that is now surgical rather than clinical. The addition of extensive lymph node surgery, either formal lymphadenectomy or liberal sampling of the pelvic and aortic lymph nodes, represents the most significant and controversial component of this system. The yield of metastatic nodes is relatively low. The controversy surrounding this staging system are reviewed and some practical options considered.