Primary fallopian tube carcinoma

Bowel perforation with generalised peritonitis secondary to recurrent primary fallopian tube carcinoma after 17 years

We describe a case of bowel perforation secondary to a recurrence of primary fallopian tube carcinoma treated more than a decade ago. A woman in her 70s presented to a rural centre with an acute abdomen. An abdominal CT showed a perforated ileum secondary to a pelvic mass. Emergency laparotomy identified the pelvic mass that was adherent to the side wall and invading the ileum at the site of perforation. Its adherence to the external iliac vessels posed a challenge to achieve en-bloc resection; therefore, a defunctioning loop ileostomy was created. Final histopathology and immunopathology were consistent with the recurrence of her primary fallopian tube carcinoma. The patient was further discussed in a multidisciplinary team meeting at a tertiary referral hospital. This case highlighted the importance of having a high index of suspicion for cancer recurrence, the utility of rapid source control laparotomy and multidisciplinary team patient management.

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma diagnosed 29 years after bilateral partial salpingectomy: A case report

Salpingectomy has a reported theoretical decreased risk of tubal and ovarian cancers. Here we describe a case 29 years after partial salpingectomy.

Lymphadenectomy and optimal excise lymph nodes count for early-stage primary fallopian tube cancer: a SEER-based study

BACKGROUNDS

There is still no consensus on the significance of Lymphadenectomy (LD) and the number of lymph nodes that need to be excised (ELNs) for adequate LD in patients with early-stage primary fallopian tube cancer (PFTC). Our endeavor is geared towards deepening comprehension of LD in early-stage PFTC and identify the optimal cut-off of ELNs.

METHODS

This SEER-based study analyzed the clinical data of patients with early-stage PFTC between 2000 and 2018. X-tile was employed to confirm the optimal cut-off of ELNs. The survival data between groups were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier estimates, Log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

There was significant improvement in both mean cancer-specific survival (CSS, p < 0.001) and overall survival (OS, p < 0.001) in LD group. Regardless of matched or not, LD was identified as an independent protective factor of CSS and OS. The optimal 3-year CSS-based cutoff of ELNs was 11 (p = 0.026) as determined by X-tile. Both the mean CSS (p = 0.001) and mean OS (p = 0.002) in adequate LD group (ELNs > 11, n = 574) were significantly longer than these in inadequate LD group (ELNs ≤ 11, n = 738). Adequate LD, FIGO stage, tumor grade and histology were significant prognostic factors for CSS and OS.

CONCLUSION

LD is an independent protective prognostic factor of patients with early-stage PFTC. The association between ELNs > 11 and an improved prognosis is evident. Future studies are needed to further clarify the results above.

Primary Fallopian Tube Carcinoma Presenting as a Broad Ligament Fibroid: A Rare Case

Primary fallopian tube carcinomas (PFTCs) are quite rare with the incidence ranging from 0.3% to 1.1% amongst all the gynaecological malignancies. Here, we present a rare case of a 44-year-old female (parity-2, live-2 and abortion-2), with one previous classical caesarean section and one vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC), bilateral tubal ligation done referred to our gynaecology OPD with complaints of pain in the abdomen since the past six days. The patient also had complaint of spotting per vagina for the past two months. Her ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced CT abdomen and pelvis were suggestive of broad ligament fibroid, which turned out to be a PFTC. Primary fallopian tube malignancies are so rare that this entity may be missed in routine clinical practice and surprisingly noticed during operative procedure or on histopathology reports. Thus, one must be aware of this rare clinical entity and keep it in mind while taking patients on the operating table.

Atypical adnexal mass misdiagnosed as an ovarian tumor revealing a bilateral tubal cancer. Case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Primary epithelial cancers of the tube are a rare entity. They represent less than 2 % of gynecological tumors and are dominated by adenocarcinoma. Due to its proximity to the uterus and the ovary, the diagnosis of tubal cancer is very difficult to confirm, frequently misdiagnosed as a benign ovarian or tubal pathology. This may explain the underestimation of this cancer.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report a case of a 47 years old patient diagnosed with a pelvic mass, the patient had an hysterectomy with omentectomy revealing a bilateral tubal adenocarcinoma after the histopathological examination.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Tubal adenocarcinoma is a more common pathology in postmenopausal women. The treatment is similar to that for ovarian cancer. Symptoms and the serum CA-125 level may be helpful indicators but are neither specific nor always found. Therefore, careful intraoperative assessment of the adnexa is necessary.

CONCLUSION

Despite the refinement of diagnostic tools available to clinicians, it is still difficult to diagnose the tumor beforehand. Nonetheless, the diagnosis of tubal cancer must be suspected in the context of a differential diagnosis of an adnexal mass. Abdomino-pelvic ultrasound is the key examination in the diagnostic process and the discovery of a suspicious adnexal mass leads to the performance of a pelvic MRI and, if necessary, to surgical exploration. The therapeutic principles follow those of ovarian cancer. Efforts should be focused on the creation of regional and international registries of tubal cancer cases in order to achieve greater statistical power in future studies.

Discriminating Between Benign and Malignant Solid Ovarian Tumors Based on Clinical and Radiomic Features of MRI

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To develop and validate a combined model integrating clinical and radiomic features to non-invasive discriminate between the benign and malignant solid ovarian tumors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 148 patients with 156 solid ovarian tumors (86 benign and 70 malignant tumors) were included in this study. The dataset was split into the training and the test set with a ratio of 8:2 using stratified random sampling. 12 clinical features and 1612 radiomic features were extracted from each tumor. These features were selected by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso). Three classification models were built using extreme gradient boosting (XGB) algorithm: clinical model, radiomic model, combined model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, precision and sensitivity were analyzed to evaluate the performance of these models.

RESULTS

All of the three models obtained good performances in differentiating benign with malignant solid ovarian tumors in both training and test sets. The AUC, accuracy, precision, sensitivity of clinical model and radiomic model in test set were 0.847 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.707-0.986, p <0.01), 0.774, 0.769, 0.714, and 0.807 (95%CI, 0.652-0.961, p <0.05), 0.677, 0.643, 0.643, respectively. Combined model had the best prediction results, the AUC, accuracy, precision and sensitivity were 0.954 (95%CI, 0.862-1.0, p <0.01), 0.839, 0.909 and 0.714 in test set.

CONCLUSION

Radiomics based on machine learning can be helpful for radiologists in differentiating the benign and malignant solid ovarian tumors.

HE4 is associated with clinical risk prognostic factors and survival outcome in primary fallopian tube carcinoma patients

AIM

To explore whether HE4 was associated with clinical risk prognostic factors and survival outcome in primary fallopian tube carcinoma patients.

METHODS

Ninety-six primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) patients from March 2011 to June 2019 were enrolled in this study. Serum CA125 and HE4 concentrations were measured at four time points including primary diagnosis, postsurgery, pre-recurrence, and recurrence. The relations between clinical risk prognostic factors with HE4 concentrations were investigated, and multivariate survival analysis was used to calculate the hazard ratios between HE4 levels with recurrence-free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS

HE4 were significantly elevated in poor performance status, advanced stage, high histological grade and residual tumor diameter >1 cm, and positive lymph node status, respectively, compared with those in well performance status, early stage, low histological grade, residual tumor diameter ≤1 cm, and negative lymph node status, respectively. Multivariate survival analysis indicated serum HE4 can predict outcome of recurrence-free survival and overall survival with hazard ratios of 9.92 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.95-33.32) and 3.12 (95% CI: 1.07-9.08), respectively.

CONCLUSION

HE4 is associated with clinical risk prognostic factors in PFTC and contributes to predict survival outcome in PFTC cases.

Primary Fallopian Tube Carcinoma: An Extremely Rare Gynecological Cancer Misdiagnosed Intraoperatively as Benign Ovarian Neoplasm: A Case Report

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma is very rare. Diagnosis is challenging. The description of our case concerns an asymptomatic 71-year-old patient who came for a routine gynecological examination. Imaging of the pelvis revealed the presence of a two-chambered cystic formation in the anatomical position of the right ovary. It was decided to investigate the disease by laparotomy. Examination of the frozen section from the site of the cystic lesion was negative for malignancy. An abdominal total hysterectomy was performed with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Serous carcinoma of the fallopian tube was diagnosed postoperatively by histological examination of the surgical preparation. Immediately after surgery, the patient’s health was good.The patient was referred to an oncology center and was monitored. Chemotherapy based on platinum and taxane was recommended. Six months after the operation the patient is in good health. The possibility of a second surgery to treat fallopian tube cancer with pelvic lymph node dissectionis under discussion and is expected to be decided by oncologists and gynecologists-oncologists. In this article, after describing the case report, a brief review of this rare entity disease’s diagnostic and therapeutic approach is attempted.

Fallopian tube cancer- challenging to diagnose but not as infrequent as originally thought

Background: Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is a rare gynecological malignancy though its prevalence may be underestimated given that most ‘ovarian’ serous cancers originate in the fallopian tube. Its diagnosis is challenging due to its vague signs and symptoms on presentation and it is frequently under-diagnosed pre-operatively.

Case Presentation: We present a case of a pre-menopausal woman who presented with vaginal bleeding. Her laboratory testing and physical examination were grossly unremarkable. Gynecologic ultrasound demonstrated multiple uterine fibroids and a double layer endometrium measuring 4.5 mm. More importantly, the left ovary was seen with a complex cyst with mildly echogenic fluid and a solid excerscence. These findings were suspicious for malignancy. The clinical and radiological findings with elevated CA-125 were consistent with a malignant process. Patient subsequently underwent a diagnostic laparoscopy, which required conversion to exploratory laparotomy, supracervical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, right ureteral lysis, right para-aortic and right pelvic lymph node debulking and omentectomy. Biopsy of left fallopian tube and ovary revealed invasive high-grade serous carcinoma of fallopian tube, with involvement of lymphovascular spaces and with surface involvement. Peritoneal washings were negative for malignancy.

She was diagnosed with a high-grade serous carcinoma of the fallopian tube after undergoing an endometrial biopsy, multiple imaging tests and finally surgical intervention that yielded the diagnosis. She was started on chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel.

Conclusion: Our aim is to highlight the importance of having PFTC among the differential diagnosis when women present with vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain, as the clinical presentation of PFTC tends to be non-specific, and is often under-diagnosed; reviewing the diagnosis and management, and characterizing the similarities and differences of PFTC with other gynecological malignancies such as ovarian cancer.

Developing and validating a novel nomogram used a competing-risks model for predicting the prognosis of primary fallopian tube carcinoma: a retrospective study based on the SEER database

Background

The current prognostic methods for primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) are inadequate. This study is the first to use a competing-risks model to perform an accurate analysis of the prognostic factors for PFTC cause-specific death (CSD). We used the model to established a nomogram for the 3-, 5-, and 8-year CSD rates based on the identified prognostic factors.

Methods

This study selected 1,924 patients from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) database. The cumulative incidence function (CIF) was used in univariate analyses, and Gray’s test was used to determine the intergroup difference in the CIF. We then used the subdistribution proportional hazards model in a multivariate analysis. We finally used the prognostic factors identified in the analysis of the competing-risks model to construct a 3-, 5-, and 8-year CSD nomogram for PFTC patients. The concordance index (C-index) and calibration plots were used to evaluate the discrimination ability and consistency of the model.

Results

The subdistribution proportional hazards model showed that age, histological type, FIGO stage, and the log of the ratio between the numbers of positive and negative lymph nodes (LODDS) were independent prognostic factors for CSD. The 3-, 5-, and 8-year C-indexes were 0.744, 0.744, and 0.733 in the training cohort, and 0.737, 0.748, and 0.721 in the validation cohort. In the calibration plots, the forecast lines were very close to the reference lines.

Conclusions

This study is the first to analyze the prognostic factors for PFTC based on a competing-risks model. This model indicates that age, histological type, FIGO stage, and LODDS are significant prognostic factors affecting CSD in PFTC patients. We have also constructed the first 3-, 5-, and 8-year CSD nomogram for PFTC patients. This nomogram exhibits good discrimination ability and accuracy and can help clinicians to provide individualized prognostic analysis for PFTC patients.

Fallopian Tube Tumor Mimicking Primary Gastrointestinal Malignancy

A 67-year-old female patient positive for a mismatch repair gene mutation and history of serous carcinoma of the fallopian tube presented with a lower gastrointestinal bleed. Clinical workup was suggestive of a primary gastrointestinal malignancy. Pathological review after right hemicolectomy revealed the primary tumor was a fallopian tube carcinoma. Over the next few years, she presented with upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeds from a recurrent metastatic disease, which was from the primary fallopian tube cancer. Although serous carcinoma of the fallopian tube is not an uncommon diagnosis, it is unusual for it to present with symptoms of recurrent gastrointestinal bleed mimicking a primary gastrointestinal malignancy.

Responses of metastatic primary fallopian tube carcinoma to pembrolizumab and nab-paclitaxel: A case report

RATIONALE

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is an extremely rare but invasive malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Very few data exist on the salvage treatment for patients with PFTC. Here we report a case showing an impressive response to immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy, which have never been reported before on patients with metastatic PFTC.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 42-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with PFTC in 2010, had been failed of multiple systemic therapies and antiangiogenic therapy because of the disease recurrence and progression.

DIAGNOSIS

Metastatic primary fallopian tube carcinoma.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent surgery in May 2010 and had multi-line chemotherapies plus an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) monoclonal antibody for about 9 years. Due to treatment failure the patient accepted the immunotherapy with the checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab, combined with nab-paclitaxel from December 2018 to April 2019.

OUTCOMES

The patient showed a complete response after 6 cycles treatment. Thus far, the patient is taking pembrolizumab as maintenance and remains in good health.

LESSONS

Pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy for treatment of PFTC may provide a positive antitumor effect in multiple metastatic lesions, but more clinical evidence is needed to confirm the efficacy and safety.

Primary transitional cell carcinoma of the fallopian tube: A case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Primary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the fallopian tube is an extremely rare tumor.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 79-year-old woman presenting with vaginal discharge.

DIAGNOSIS

Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging revealed a predominantly solid mass with a lobulated contour, measuring 5.5 cm × 4.6 cm, in the left ovary. The patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Pathological analysis revealed a high-grade TCC, measuring 7.5 cm × 4 cm, in the left fallopian tube (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB).

INTERVENTION

Forty-three months postoperation, recurrence was diagnosed as peritoneal metastasis. The patient underwent 6 cycles of palliative chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and gemcitabine, the recommended regimen for TCC of the urinary tract.

OUTCOME

The patient has survived for 27 months without recurrence after palliative chemotherapy, 76 months after diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

It is rare that primary TCC of the fallopian tube responds to a urinary tract treatment regimen for TCC, even when followed up for an extended period. More research is warranted to determine which treatment regimen will benefit patients the most.

Nonovarian Mimics of Ovarian Malignancy

Once a pelvic mass is identified on an ultrasound examination, the first step in the differential diagnostic work up is to determine its origin. Most lateral pelvic masses in women are ovarian in origin, and the distinction between ovarian and nonovarian mimics of ovarian cancer is critical for appropriate clinical and surgical management. Adnexal masses detected on ultrasound can be further characterized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when needed. Superior contrast resolution, multiplanar imaging, characteristic signal intensity of common pathology such as dermoid tumors or endometriomas allows one to accurately evaluate adnexal tumors with supplemental use of MRI. Commonly encountered extraovarian abnormalities that mimic ovarian malignancies are categorized as being either predominantly cystic or solid. The common causes of such extraovarian lesions that mimic ovarian pathology include fallopian tube diseases, paroaovarian cysts, peritoneal inclusion cysts, and a pedunculated or a broad ligament fibroid. Less common causes of cystic and solid nonovarian mimics of ovarian malignancy include mucocele of the appendix, lymphocele, spinal meningeal cysts, extraovarian endometriomas, extraovarian fibrothecomas, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (Table 1). Identifying a normal appearing ovary is the key in distinguishing an extraovarian pelvic mass from an ovarian tumor. This becomes particularly challenging in postmenopausal women with atrophic ovaries. In this scenario, MRI comes into use by identifying small atrophic ovaries more often than ultrasound is able to. Extraovarian lesions typically displace the pelvic sidewall vasculature medially, ureters tend to be compressed, encased or medially displaced, enhancement matches pelvic arteries and may be associated with engorged mesenteric vessels compared to gonadal vessel engorgement seen with ovarian tumors.

Serous Adenocarcinoma of Fallopian Tubes: Histological and Immunohistochemical Aspects

BACKGROUND

Although primary cancer of the fallopian tubes is a relatively rare type of tumor in female reproductive organs, its mortality is quite high. It is important to identify molecular and biological markers of this malignancy that determine its specific phenotype.

METHODS

The study was carried out on samples received from 71 female patients with primary cancer of the fallopian tubes. The main molecular and biological properties, including hormone status (estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR]), human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2)/neu expression, proliferative potential (Ki-67), apoptosis (p53, Bcl-2), and pro-angiogenic (vascular endothelial growth factor) quality of serous tumors were studied in comparison with clinical and morphological characteristics.

RESULTS

ER and PR expression is accompanied by low grade neoplasia, early clinical disease stage, and absence of lymphogenic metastasis (p < .001). HER2/neu expression is not typical for primary cancer of the fallopian tubes. Ki-67 expression is characterized by an inverse correlation with ER and PR (p < .05) and is associated with lymphogenic metastasis (p < .01). p53+ status correlates with high grade malignancy, tumor progression, metastasis, negative ER/PR (p < .001), and negative Bcl-2 status (p < .05). Positive Bcl-2 status is positively correlated with ER and PR expression and low grade malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Complex morphologic (histological and immunohistochemical) study of postoperative material allows estimation of the degree of malignancy and tumor spread to enable appropriate treatment for each case.

Chlamydia trachomatis infection in primary fallopian tube and high-grade serous ovarian cancers: a pilot study

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infection with primary tubal and high-grade serous ovarian cancers.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional, retrospective study conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Egypt, from February 2008 to October 2017. Sixty-seven paraffin archival blocks specimens were retrieved from cases who underwent staging laparotomy due to high-grade serous ovarian cancer (30 cases), primary tubal serous cancer (25 cases), and control specimens of (12) tubal specimens from cases of benign gynecological conditions. All samples were examined for CT DNA using semiquantitative qRT-PCR.

Results

CT DNA was detected in 84% of high-grade tubal serous cancer, 16.7% of high-grade serous ovarian cancer, and 13.3% in controls (P<0.0005). Mean CT DNA relative quantity was significantly high (256) in tubal carcinoma, in comparison to that in high-grade serous ovarian cancer and controls (13.5 and 0.28, respectively; P<0.0005).

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on relation of CT to the tubal serous cancer, so the responsibility of CT tubal infection in the pathogenesis of primary tubal cancer needs to be considered.

Prognostic factors of primary fallopian tube carcinoma

Aim of the study

Fallopian tube cancer is very rare in the literature and so there are not enough data about the therapeutic approaches. The approaches are generally determined in accordance with the data obtained from ovarian cancer. Many prognostic factors have been investigated in an effort to better estimate patient outcome. Stage, age, and residual tumor after surgery are consistently important prognostic factors. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors and survival rates of primary fallopian tube cancer (PFTC), which is rare among gynecological cancers.

Material and methods

Thirty-eight patients with a diagnosis of PFTC were identified through the gynecologic oncology service database of our Research and Training Hospital in the period 1995–2013. Clinicopathological and surgical data were collected. All patients were evaluated for survival and disease-free survival between the dates specified.

Results

A significant relationship and correlation was found between optimal surgery and life expectancy. Better results were obtained in patients treated with optimal surgery. The survival probability was found to be higher in patients with lower CA-125 levels and serous histologic type adenocarcinoma.

Conclusions

Stage is one of the factors affecting the survival probability. We determined that the pathological type of tumor, the diameter of residual tumor remaining after surgery, tumor grade, preoperative CA-125 levels and presence of ascites affect the survival probability.

Successful diagnosis of an occult fallopian tube carcinoma detected from the diaphragm metastasis

We herein reported a rare case of an occult fallopian tube carcinoma first detected from the diaphragm metastasis. An 83-year-old woman who had a 30-mm tumor on the right diaphragm underwent radical resection. Pathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a high-grade serous adenocarcinoma, suggesting metastasis from the pelvic visceral carcinoma. Although the primary site could not be detected by imaging examinations, laparoscopy revealed multiple peritoneal disseminations; therefore, total hysterectomy was performed. Finally, microscopic tumor invasion into the right fimbriae of the fallopian tube was found. A precise and detailed pathological and immunohistochemical examinations of the resected metastatic diaphragm tumor helped us obtain a proper diagnosis of the primary lesion and treat the patient appropriately. Since it is difficult to diagnose diaphragm tumors before surgery based on the anatomy, surgical options have played an important role in their treatment and diagnosis clinically.

Primary Fallopian Tube Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is a rare tumour of the female genital tract with an incidence of 0.1-1.8% of all genital malignancies, and it is very difficult to diagnose preoperatively, because of its non-specific symptomatology. In most cases, it is an intraoperative finding or a histopathological diagnosis. It is a tumour that histologically and clinically resembles epithelial ovarian cancer.

CASE PRESENTATION

We are reporting a case of a 62-year-old, postmenopausal women with primary fallopian tube carcinoma of the right fallopian tube in stage IA. The patient has lower abdominal pain, watery vaginal discharge and repeated episodes of bleeding from the vagina. The clinical and radiological findings suggested a right adnexal tumour with elevated CA-125 levels. Total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy and peritoneal washing were performed. Pathologic confirmation of primary serous cystadenocarcinoma of the right fallopian tube was made. Peritoneal washings were negative for malignancy. FIGO stage was considered as IA, and the patient received no courses of chemotherapy and postoperative radiation because she refused it. Ten months after initial surgery, the patient is alive and in good condition.

CONCLUSION

Cytoreduction surgery followed by adequate cycles of chemotherapy is an important strategy to improve patients' prognosis.

Primary Fallopian Tube Carcinoma: A Single-Institution Experience of 101 Cases: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify the prognostic factors for primary fallopian tube carcinoma.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of the patients treated with primary surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from February 2003 to December 2010. Cox proportional hazards model was used for univariate and multivariate survival analysis.

RESULTS

Included in this study were 101 patients with a median follow-up of 64 months and a mean age of 57 years. Latzko triad symptom of abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding or discharge, and palpable pelvic mass was reported in 14 patients, and elevated CA 125 (≥ 35 U/mL) was found in 63. Four patients were classified as grade 1, 31 were grade 2, and 66 were grade 3. The distribution of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage was 33 at stage I, 28 at stage II, 39 at stage III, and 1 at stage IV. Ninety patients underwent optimal tumor debulking in which residual tumor was no larger than 1 cm, and 67 patients received no fewer than 6 cycles of postoperative chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin (TP)-based regimen. Recurrence occurred in 44 patients after a median of 20 months (range, 1-72 months). The 5-year overall survival rate was 67.7%, and the 5-year disease-free survival was 57.4%. Multivariate analysis revealed that International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (I-II) [hazard ratio (HR), 2.670; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.316-5.418; P = 0.007 vs HR, 2.716; 95% CI, 1.416-5.211; P = 0.003], pelvic lymphadenectomy (HR, 0.274; 95% CI, 0.136-0.555; P < 0.001 vs HR, 0.449; 95% CI, 0.227-0.888; P = 0.021), and cycles (≥ 6) of chemotherapy (HR, 0.480; 95% CI, 0.246-0.937; P = 0.031 vs HR, 0.521; 95% CI, 0.276-0.985; P = 0.045) might serve as independent predictors of both overall survival and disease-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative diagnosis of fallopian tube carcinoma is difficult due to the silent course of this neoplasm. Comprehensive surgical staging including pelvic lymphadenectomy followed by adequate cycles of chemotherapy is an important strategy to improve patients' prognosis.

Impact of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system use on the cancer risk of the ovary and fallopian tube

BACKGROUND

Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) is used for contraception and heavy menstrual bleeding. A long-term hormone therapy can modify the risk of gynecologic cancers. Little is known about the impact of LNG-IUS use on the risk for invasive and borderline ovarian tumor subtypes or for primary fallopian tube carcinoma. We examined the associations of LNG-IUS use with these tumors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We identified from the national Medical Reimbursement Registry of Finland the women aged 30-49 years who had used LNG-IUS for menorrhagia in 1994-2007, and from the Finnish Cancer Registry ovarian cancers and primary fallopian tube carcinomas diagnosed before the age of 55 and by the end of 2013.

RESULTS

A total of 77 invasive ovarian cancers and seven primary fallopian tube carcinoma cases were diagnosed in a cohort of 93 843 LNG-IUS users during the follow-up of 1 083 126 women-years. The LNG-IUS users had decreased risk for both invasive ovarian cancer [standardized incidence ratio (SIR) 0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-0.73] and for borderline ovarian tumors (SIR 0.76, 95% CI 0.57-0.99) as compared to the background population. The risk of primary fallopian tube carcinoma was not increased (SIR 1.22, 95% CI 0.49-2.50). Decreased risks for mucinous (SIR 0.49, 95% CI 0.24-0.87), endometrioid (SIR 0.55, 95% CI 0.28-0.98), and serous ovarian carcinomas (SIR 0.75, 95% CI 0.55-0.99) were seen in LNG-IUS users.

CONCLUSIONS

LNG-IUS use associated with decreased risk for both invasive and borderline ovarian tumors. The incidence of primary fallopian tube carcinoma did not significantly differ between LNG-IUS users and the background population.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of serum human epididymis protein 4 in patients with primary fallopian tube carcinoma

AIM

The aim of our study was to assess the levels of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) with the common tumor marker carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) in the diagnosis and monitoring of therapy for primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC).

METHODS

Serum HE4 and CA125 levels from 82 PFTC patients and 154 patients with benign pelvic masses as the control were measured by Roche electrochemiluminescent immunoassay. HE4 determinations for surgery response and recurrence monitoring were assessed in PFTC patients.

RESULTS

Serum HE4 and CA125 concentrations were significantly higher in PFTC patients compared with those seen in patients with benign pelvic masses (P < 0.001). Compared with CA125, HE4 had higher specificity, but lower sensitivity whether at early or advanced stage, and the combination of HE4 + CA125 led to higher sensitivity and specificity. HE4 + CA125 performed significantly better than CA125 or HE4 alone in early stage patients. In early stage the sensitivity was 35.7% for HE4 and 64.3% for CA125, while sensitivity for the combination of HE4 and CA125 could reach 71.4%. Furthermore, the two markers were associated with the progression and histology of PFTC. Serum HE4 level was closely correlated with surgical therapy. PFTC patients displayed a greater decline in the level of HE4 compared with CA125 (76.4% vs 55.7%). Combined with CA125, HE4 elevation better predicted recurrence in PFTC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that serum HE4 levels are closely associated with PFTC and the outcome of surgical therapy and recurrence in Chinese patients.

Clinically occult primary fallopian tube carcinoma presenting as a malignant pleural effusion

We report the first known case of malignant pleural effusion (MPE) as the sole presenting feature of clinically occult primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC). A 57-year-old healthy woman was admitted with dyspnea. Evaluation demonstrated a right pleural effusion, fluid of which was malignant. The immunohistochemical profile, including negative calretinin, favored metastatic adenocarcinoma over mesothelioma but could not identify the primary tumour site. Pleural biopsy was not pursued as it would not have helped localize the primary. Chest, abdomen and pelvic computed tomography (CT) demonstrated only borderline lymphadenopathy in the left para-aortic lymph node chain that was hypermetabolic on positron emission tomography. Ultrasound and CT showed normal adnexal anatomy. These findings, coupled with an elevated serum CA-125, prompted empiric neoadjuvant chemotherapy targeting epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) followed by surgery, which revealed a tiny left PFTC with negative peritoneal washings. Sampled left para-aortic lymph nodes were positive. The pleural effusion resolved after chemotherapy. Malignant pleural disease without peritoneal involvement is more characteristic of PFTC than of EOC, in which MPE is common but almost always accompanies peritoneal carcinomatosis. The extensive lymphatic supply of the fallopian tube promotes distant metastasis of small, seemingly localized tumours. This case is a reminder that the clinician should not be dissuaded from considering carcinoma of Müllerian origin, especially PFTC, as the cause of a MPE even in the face of normal gynecologic imaging. Appropriately broad immunohistochemical staining and careful attention to even minimal lymphadenopathy can be invaluable in pinpointing the primary tumour site in such patients.

Examination of the Fractalkine and Fractalkine Receptor Expression in Fallopian Adenocarcinoma Reveals Differences When Compared to Ovarian Carcinoma

Fallopian adenocarcinoma is a rare malignancy arising in the epithelium of the fallopian tube. Fallopian tube epithelium has been proposed as a tissue origin for high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, the deadliest gynecologic malignancy. Given the commonalities in dissemination and treatment of these malignancies, we contemplated the possibility of similar patterns of gene expression underlying their progression. To reveal potential similarities or differences in the gene expression of fallopian adenocarcinoma and high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, we tested expression of the fractalkine receptor (CX₃CR1) and its ligand, fractalkine (CX₃CL1), in the specimens of normal and pathologic fallopian tube using immunohistochemistry. Our data show that CX₃CR1 is expressed in the normal, cancer adjacent normal, inflammatory, and malignant fallopian epithelium. CX₃CL1 was expressed only by the normal and cancer adjacent normal fallopian tube epithelium; its expression was largely lost in the inflammatory and malignant fallopian epithelium. In opposite, both CX₃CR1 and CX₃CL1 are expressed in high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. These findings are consistent with an idea that fallopian adenocarcinoma and high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, although currently thought to arise from the same organ, may not share similar molecular characteristics.

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma: review of MR imaging findings

OBJECTIVES

To review the epidemiological and clinical features of primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC), and to illustrate the spectrum of MRI findings, with pathological confirmation.

METHODS

This article reviews the relevant literature on the epidemiological, clinical, and imaging features of primary fallopian tube carcinoma, with pathological confirmation, using illustrations from the authors' teaching files.

RESULTS

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma came under focus over the last few years due to its possible role on the pathogenesis of high-grade serous epithelial ovarian and peritoneal cancers. Typical symptoms, together with the presence of some of the most characteristic MRI signs, such as a "sausage-shaped" pelvic mass, hydrosalpinx, and hydrometra, may signal the presence of primary fallopian cancer, and allow the radiologist to report it as a differential diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma has a constellation of clinical symptoms and magnetic resonance imaging features, which may be diagnostic. Although these findings are not present together in the majority of cases, radiologists who are aware of them may include the diagnosis of primary fallopian tube cancer in their report more frequently and with more confidence.

TEACHING POINTS

• PFTC may be more frequent than previously thought • PFTC has specific clinical and MRI characteristics • Knowledge of typical PFTC signs enables its inclusion in the differential diagnosis • PFTC is currently staged under the 2013 FIGO system • PFTC is staged collectively with ovarian and peritoneal neoplasms.

Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tubes: Analysis of sixteen patients

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to review patients with tubal carcinoma who underwent surgery in our clinic due to primary carcinoma of the fallopian tubes, a very rare gynecologic malignancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixteen patients who were diagnosed as having primary carcinoma of the fallopian tubes and underwent surgery in Zeynep Kamil Research and Training Hospital between January 2007 and December 2014 were included in the study. Demographic data such as age, gravidity, parity, menopausal condition, symptoms, adjuvant therapy, recurrence of tumor, as well as time and type of operation were extracted from patient epicrisis reports and oncology files. Patient information was extracted from the patients' current files and phone calls were made with patients and their relatives.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 59.6 (range, 43-78) years. Seventy-five percent of the women were menopausal at admission; the mean menopause duration was 10 years (range, 1-20 years). None of the patients were nulliparous and mean parity was 4.3 (2-8). The most common presenting symptom was abdominopelvic pain, followed by abnormal uterine bleeding. The most common histopathologic type was high-grade serous carcinoma. The mean follow-up duration was 23.7 months (range, 2-53 months). During follow-up, recurrence was seen in 4 (25%) patients. One patient left the study during follow-up. The mean disease-free survival was 48 months. No relation was found between disease-free survival, age, stage, grade, and histologic type in univariate logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tubes is a rare gynecologic tumor that is seen in older patients, has no specific signs, and usually cannot be diagnosed before surgery. Therefore, we think that large-series, multi-centered studies with long-term follow-up duration are needed to define its etiopathogenesis and treatment strategies for the disease.

Adenocarcinoma of Mullerian origin: review of pathogenesis, molecular biology, and emerging treatment paradigms

Traditionally, epithelial ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers have been viewed as separate entities with disparate origins, pathogenesis, clinical features, and outcomes. Additionally, previous classification systems for ovarian cancer have proposed two primary histologic groups that encompass the standard histologic subtypes. Recent data suggest that these groupings no longer accurately reflect our knowledge surrounding these cancers. In this review, we propose that epithelial ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal carcinomas represent a spectrum of disease that originates in the Mullerian compartment. We will discuss the incidence, classification, origin, molecular determinants, and pathologic analysis of these cancers that support the conclusion they should be collectively referred to as adenocarcinomas of Mullerian origin. As our understanding of the molecular and pathologic profiling of adenocarcinomas of Mullerian origin advances, we anticipate treatment paradigms will shift towards genomic driven therapeutic interventions.

Prognostic Significance of Retroperitoneal Lymphadenectomy, Preoperative Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio in Primary Fallopian Tube Carcinoma: A Multicenter Study

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prognostic role of preoperative neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the need for para-aortic lymphadectomy in patients with primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC).

Materials and Methods

Ninety-one patients with a diagnosis of PFTC were identified through the gynecologic oncology service database of six academic centers. Clinicopathological, surgical, and complete blood count data were collected.

Results

In univariate analysis, advanced stage, suboptimal surgery, and NLR > 2.7 were significant prognostic factors for progression-free survival, whereas in multivariate analysis, only advanced stage and suboptimal surgery were significant. In addition, in univariate analysis, cancer antigen 125 ≥ 35 U/mL, ascites, advanced stage, suboptimal surgery, NLR > 2.7, PLR > 233.3, platelet count ≥ 400,000 cells/mm³, staging type, and histological subtype were significant prognostic factors for overall survival (OS); however, in multivariate analysis, only advanced stage, suboptimal surgery, NLR > 2.7, and staging type were significant. Inclusion of pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy in surgery showed significant association with longer OS, with a mean and median OS of 42.0 months and 35.5 months (range, 22 to 78 months), respectively, vs. 33.5 months and 27.5 months (range, 14 to 76 months), respectively, for patients who underwent surgery without para-aortic lymphadenectomy (hazard ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 5.7; p=0.002).

Conclusion

NLR (in both univariate and multivariate analysis) and PLR (only in univariate analysis) were prognostic factors in PFTC. NLR and PLR are inexpensive and easy tests to perform. In addition, patients with PFTC who underwent bilateral pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy had longer OS.

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma: correlation between magnetic resonance and diffuse weighted imaging characteristics and histopathologic findings

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the magnetic resonance (MR) and diffusion-weighted (DW) imaging characteristics of primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC).

METHODS

The clinical, MR, and DW imaging characteristics and pathologic findings of 23 patients with 27 tumors were studied retrospectively. The MR and DW imaging appearance of tumors including laterality, size and shape, architecture, signal intensity, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, enhancement pattern, hydrosalpinx, and intrauterine fluid collection were evaluated and correlated with pathologic findings.

RESULTS

Histopathologically, all 27 tumors were serous carcinoma with a unilateral tumor in 19 patients and bilateral tumors in 4 patients. Thirteen patients (57%) with PFTC were misdiagnosed preoperatively, 10 of which as epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The mean (SD) largest diameter was 61 (7) mm. The tumor shape was fusiform, sausagelike, or serpentine in 19 patients (70%) and nodular or irregular in 8 patients (30%). Twenty (74%) of the 27 tumors were solid, and 7 (26%) were cystic-solid. The solid components showed hypointensity to isointensity on T1-weighted imaging, and isointensity to slight hyperintensity on T2-weighted imaging. There were obvious hyperintensity on DW imaging; obvious hypointensity on ADC maps with a mean (SD) ADC value of 0.79 (0.22) × 10 mm; and mild (8/27, 30%), moderate (13/27, 48%), and marked (6/27, 22%) enhancement on contrast-enhanced imaging. Ipsilateral hydrosalpinx, intrauterine fluid collection, and ascites were found in 14 tumors (52%) and 7 (30%) and 5 (22%) patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The PFTC has some characteristic MR imaging features. The DW imaging, ADC maps, and ADC values are helpful for the detection and differentiation of PFTC from other pelvic masses.

Prognostic factors of primary fallopian tube cancer in a single institute in Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

To improve the understanding of primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) through an analysis of possible clinical and pathologic determinants of prognosis.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the database of a tertiary hospital in Taiwan for 1978-2007 was conducted to identify patients with a diagnosis of PFTC and to evaluate the clinicopathologic features associated with PFTC outcome.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight patients (mean age 62.5 years) had a diagnosis of PFTC. Stage III/IV disease (55%) and poorly differentiated tumors (52%) were most common. The median follow-up was 93 months (range, 11-333 months). The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 59%, and the overall survival rate was 64%. Factors important in disease-free and overall survival in univariate analysis included the presence of pelvic and/or para-aortic lymph node metastases, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, high preoperative carbohydrate antigen 125 serum level, completion of optimal debulking surgery, and the use of paclitaxel-based chemotherapy; however, only patients with optimal cytoreduction had a decreased hazard of recurrence (hazard ratio [HR] 0.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01-0.23) and mortality (HR 0.08; 95% CI, 0.02-0.31) in multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Advanced tumor stage, in particular the presence of lymph node metastases, worsened the prognosis of patients with PFTC. However, optimal debulking surgery significantly improved the prognosis, emphasizing the importance of the treatment strategy.