Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathological features of a rare tumor, primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC).
Materials and methods
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 26 patients who were diagnosed with PFTC at Cheil General Hospital and Women’s Healthcare Center between March 1992 and November 2009.
Results
Median patient age was 54.6 (range 41–69) years, and the mean follow-up period was 59.8 (range 3–200) months. Twenty-one (80.8%) patients had one or more of the following preoperative symptoms: vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, or a palpable mass. No patient was diagnosed with PFTC preoperatively; 17 (65.4%) patients were diagnosed as having an adnexal mass, six (23.1%) had hydrosalpinx, and three (11.5%) had coexisting endometrial pathology. In seven (26.9%) cases, PFTC was missed during the operation, so an additional surgery was later performed. Ten (38.5%) patients were in stage I, two (7.7%) in stage II, 13 (50%) in stage III, and one (3.8%) in stage IV. The serous type was histologically predominant (76.9%), and most were high grade (76.9%). The 5-year survival rate was 81.7%.
Conclusion
Primary fallopian tube carcinoma is hardly ever diagnosed preoperatively or intraoperatively due to its rarity. Our report may help surgeons by providing more information about the clinicopathological behavior of PTFC so that patients can be appropriately counseled. Further clinical studies should be performed to collect more information about this rare tumor.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Semrad N, Watring W, Fu YS et al (1986) Fallopian tube adenocarcinoma: common extraperitoneal recurrence. Gynecol Oncol 24:230–235
Woolas R, Jacobs I, Davies AP et al (1994) What is the true incidence of primary fallopian tube carcinoma? Int J Gynecol Cancer 4:384–388
National Cancer Institute (2001) SEER program. 12 geographic areas for 1995–1999. National Cancer Institute, Cancer Statistic Branch, Bethesda, MD
Riska A, Leminen A (2007) Updating on primary fallopian tube carcinoma. Acta Obstet Gynecol 86:1419–1426
Riska A, Leminen A, Pukkala E (2003) Sociodemographic determinants of incidence of primary fallopian tube carcinoma, Finland 1953–97. Int J Cancer 104:643–645
Wethington SL, Herzog TJ, Seshan VE et al (2008) Improved survival for fallopian tube cancer: a comparison of clinical characteristics and outcome for primary fallopian tube and ovarian cancer. Cancer 113:298–306
Hu CY, Taymor ML, Hertig AT (1950) Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube. Am J Obstet Gynecol 59:58–67
Sedlis A (1961) Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube. Obstet Gynecol Surv 16:209–226
Yoonessi M (1979) Carcinoma of the fallopian tube. Obstet Gynecol Surv 34:257–270
Ajithkumar TV, Minimole AL, John MM et al (2005) Primary fallopian tube carcinoma. Obstet Gynecol Surv 60:247–252
Rose PG, Piver MS, Tsukada Y (1990) Fallopian tube cancer. The Roswell Park experience. Cancer 66:2661–2667
Baekelandt M, Jorunn Nesbakken A, Kristensen GB et al (2000) Carcinoma of the fallopian tube. Cancer 89:2076–2084
Kol S, Gal D, Friedman M et al (1990) Preoperative diagnosis of fallopian tube carcinoma by transvaginal sonography and CA-125. Gynecol Oncol 37:129–131
Kurjak A, Kupesic S, Ilijas M et al (1998) Preoperative diagnosis of primary fallopian tube carcinoma. Gynecol Oncol 68:29–34
Pectasides D, Pectasides E, Economopoulos T (2006) Fallopian tube carcinoma: a review. Gynecol Oncol 11:902–912
McMurray EH, Jacobs AJ, Perez CA et al (1986) Carcinoma of the fallopian tube. Management and sites of failure. Cancer 58:2070–2075
Heintz AP, Odicino F, Maisonneuve P et al (2006) Carcinoma of the fallopian tube. FIGO 6th Annual Report on the Results of Treatment in Gynecological Cancer. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 95(Suppl 1):S145–S160
Kosary C, Trimble EL (2002) Treatment and survival for women with fallopian tube carcinoma: a population-based study. Gynecol Oncol 86:190–191
Gadducci A, Landoni F, Sartori E et al (2001) Analysis of treatment failures and survival of patients with fallopian tube carcinoma: a cooperation task force (CTF) study. Gynecol Oncol 81:150–159
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Koo, YJ., Im, KS., Kwon, YS. et al. Primary fallopian tube carcinoma: a clinicopathological analysis of a rare entity. Int J Clin Oncol 16, 45–49 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-010-0128-8
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10147-010-0128-8