FIGO 2013 staging system for ovarian cancer: what is new in comparison to the 1988 staging system?

Recent progress in the understanding of the molecular events in ovarian cancer has prompted the need for a revised International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system that may provide more accurate prognostic information and more specific guidance on personalized management of ovarian cancer than the older staging system that was last revised in 1988. In particular, it is now realized that cancer of ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum share similar molecular characteristics and should be considered collectively. With that, a new FIGO staging guideline for cancer of the ovary, fallopian tube, and peritoneum was approved by the FIGO executive board in October 2012 and published in the International Journal of Gynecology Obstetrics [2014; 124:1-5]. Several revisions have been made to the older staging system that needs to be elucidated so that accurate and appropriate patient care may be practiced. The standardization of the staging system allows for a smoother transition of patient care between institutions and overall better communication and continuity of management. Our article briefly reviews and discusses the differences between the new and the old staging system of 1988.