FIGO staging is primarily used for which type of cases?

FIGO staging, which stands for the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, is specifically designed to assess the extent and severity of cancers affecting the female reproductive system. This staging system provides a standardized method for classifying stage of cancers such as cervical, uterine, ovarian, and vulvar cancers, among others. The system helps to communicate the severity of the disease, guide treatment decisions, and determine prognosis.

The framework of FIGO staging typically encompasses various factors, including tumor size, local invasion, lymph node involvement, and distant metastasis, allowing healthcare providers to have a clear understanding of the disease progression. Its use is crucial in gynecologic oncology, where accurate staging is pivotal for treatment planning and evaluation of patient outcomes.

In contrast, the other choices focus on conditions for which different staging systems are more appropriate. Lymphomas have their own staging systems like the Ann Arbor Classification, leukemias are typically classified based on other criteria such as FAB classification or WHO classification, and pediatric malignancies often utilize staging systems that cater specifically to cancers in children, which may differ significantly from those used for adult cancers.