External Validation of the New 2023 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Staging System in Endometrial Cancer Patients: 12-Year Experience from an European Society of Gynecological Oncology-Accredited Center

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The new molecular classification of endometrial cancer continuously changes the management of the disease in everyday clinical practice. Recently, FIGO released a new staging system for endometrial cancer, which incorporates molecular substages and subdivides further early-stage disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences between the two FIGO staging systems and evaluate the prognostic precision of the new one. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the records of patients with endometrial cancer that were fully treated in the 1st Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, in 2012–2023. Patient characteristics, oncological outcome, and follow-up information were collected. The primary outcomes were the stage shifts and the survival data. Results: Sixty-seven (15.5%) patients had a stage shift and the majority of them concerned early-stage disease and specifically an upshift from 2009 stages IA and IB to 2023 stage IIC. Concerning survival, a better median and 5-year PFS was present in stage II disease, and when comparing the prognostic precision of the two FIGO staging systems no significant difference was present. Conclusions: The new 2023 FIGO staging system better distinguishes early-stage endometrial cancer into its prognostic groups and seems to be as precise as the old 2009 FIGO staging system.

Keywords

• endometrial cancer
• cancer staging
• prognosis
• survival