Lymph node nomenclature in gynecologic oncology

The nomenclature of the lymph node groups draining the pelvic organs has been poorly standardized. This has impaired understanding of the natural history of gynecologic malignancies and led to difficulties in communication among specialists treating those diseases. In order to assess the extent of this problem, members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and other physicians treating pelvic malignancy were asked to label a diagram of the pelvic lymph nodes. The lack of uniformity in the answers confirms the need for a simple, clinically relevant system of nomenclature. Such a system is proposed.