Staging for endometrial cancer is based on pathological and surgical findings. Staging is determined according to the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) system (Amant et al. 2018). Where surgery is not performed, a clinical stage may be determined based on physical examination and imaging-related information.

Pelvic plus or minus para-aortic lymph node assessment including sentinel lymph node biopsy may be suitable based on careful perioperative assessment by a multidisciplinary team (NCCN 2018; RCPA 2019).

The benefits, limitations and morbidity of lymph node dissection should be considered, especially in the absence of compelling evidence for a survival advantage and for patients at low risk of nodal metastases (Cancer Council Australia 2014). A pathologist should undertake structured reporting.

Visit the Cancer Institute New South Wales website for information about understanding the stages of cancer.