Primary fallopian tube carcinoma.

Clear cell carcinoma of the fimbria of the fallopian tube in a BRCA1 carrier undergoing prophylactic surgery.

To increase awareness of primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) and its relationship to serous epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) and breast cancer. To review the characteristic imaging findings of PFTC thereby enabling radiologists to not only diagnose, but aid clinicians in staging, treatment planning and surveillance for recurrence. There is increasing evidence of a relationship between PFTC and breast cancer and the breast cancer susceptibility gene mutation. Furthermore, studies in breast cancer gene mutation carriers suggest serous EOC arises from the epithelial lining of the fallopian tube. These theories indicate that the incidence of fallopian tube carcinoma is underestimated. Increased awareness is particularly important for radiologists reviewing surveillance studies in breast cancer patients. PFTC has characteristic imaging features that can aid in its detection and differentiation from other pelvic masses. Imaging is also helpful in tumor staging, identifying patients who may benefit from neoadjuvant chemotherapy and detection of recurrence following treatment. This article discusses the history, pathology, and patterns of spread of fallopian tube carcinoma, as well as reviewing and illustrating the cross-sectional imaging findings.

Imaging of primary fallopian tube carcinoma

Article history: Received on: 21/12/2012 Revised on: 09/01/2013 Accepted on: 19/01/2013 Available online: 29/01/2013 Female genital tract is most common site for tumours in females. The most common type of female genital tract cancers are – cervical, ovarian and endometrial carcinoma. There are other less common tumours including tumours of vagina, vulva and fallopian tubes. The Uterine corpus represents the second most common site for malignancy of the female genital systems. Cervical carcinoma is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. Tumours of the ovary represent about 30% of all cancers of female genital tract. Cancer of the vagina is relatively rare, accounting for about 1%2% of gynaecological malignancies. Tumours of the fallopian tube are much less common than the corresponding ovarian neoplasms. In view of major importance of the subject, this review study was undertaken to understand the topic in a better prospective.

Overview of Benign and Malignant Tumours of Female Genital Tract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathological features of a rare tumor, primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC). 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. 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%. 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.

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma: a clinicopathological analysis of a rare entity

Although Fallopian tubes are frequently involved in benign gynaecological conditions, primary malignant involvement is rare, and because of its rarity, lack of diagnostic accuracy, nonpresenting symptoms and physical findings, primary fallopian tube carcinoma is seldom diagnosed before laparotomy. We are reporting one such rare case.

Kulkarni Mm

Papers

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma.