Negotiating a staging and risk factor scoring system for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia. A progress report.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the current problems in establishing a unified staging and risk factor scoring system for trophoblastic disease under the auspices of the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO).

STUDY DESIGN: To present a history of the classifications of trophoblastic disease and compare these with the proposals presented to FIGO by the International Society for the Study of Trophoblastic Disease, the International Gynecologic Cancer Society and the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists.

RESULTS: The situation concerning the proposed 2000 FIGO trophoblast classification was resolved by FIGO's acceptance of the recommendations outlined in this paper.

CONCLUSION: There is a scientific and clinical need for FIGO to adopt the recommendations of the majority of physicians with expertise in treating trophoblastic disease for a rational classification of trophoblastic disease. It is gratifying that FIGO has done so.