Fallopian Tube Carcinoma

Tubal adenocarcinoma: Report of 3 cases and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Tumors of the uterine tube are rare pathologies representing less than 1 % of all gynecologic cancers; they are dominated by adenocarcinomas. Secondary metastatic forms are the most frequent, whereas primary tumors are very rare and represent only 10 %, which suggests that the fallopian tube is an organ with low oncogenic potential.

REPORT OF TWO CASES

We report the two cases of a patients followed in the gynecology department C of the CHU IBN ROCHD CASA for a primary tubal adenocarcinoma.

DISCUSSION

The diagnosis of its origin is difficult preoperatively, the treatment and staging are the same as for ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSION

The treatment is also identical to the management of ovarian cancer, but their prognosis is better because they are most often diagnosed at an earlier stage.

Tubal adenocarcinoma in a case report

Introduction

Tumors of the uterine tube are rare pathologies representing less than 1 % of all gynecologic cancers; they are dominated by adenocarcinomas. Secondary metastatic forms are the most frequent, whereas primary tumors are very rare and represent only 10 %, which suggests that the fallopian tube is an organ with low oncogenic potential.

Case report

We report the case of a patient followed in the gynecology department C of the CHU IBN ROCHD CASA for a primary tubal adenocarcinoma, with a history of breast cancer.

Discussion

The diagnosis of its origin is difficult preoperatively, the treatment and staging are the same as for ovarian cancer.

Conclusion

The treatment is also identical to the management of ovarian cancer, but their prognosis is better because they are most often diagnosed at an earlier stage.

Fallopian tube origin of supposed ovarian high-grade serous carcinomas

INTRODUCTION

Serous carcinomas are the most frequent histologic type of ovarian and peritoneal cancers, and can also be detected in the endometrium and fallopian tubes. Serous carcinomas are usually high-grade neoplasms when diagnosed, yet the identification of an associated precursor lesion remains challenging. Pathological examination of specimens obtained from prophylactic bilateral salpingo-oophorectomies that were performed for patients harboring BRCA1/2 mutations suggests that high-grade serous carcinomas may arise in the fallopian tubes rather than in the ovaries.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the presence and extent of fallopian tube involvement in cases of serous pelvic carcinomas.

METHODS

Thirty-four cases of serous pelvic carcinoma with clinical presentations suggesting an ovarian origin were analyzed retrospectively. Histologic samples of fallopian tube tissues were available for these cases and were analyzed. Probable primary site, type of tubal involvement, tissues involved in the neoplasia and vascular involvement were evaluated.

RESULTS

Fallopian tube involvement was observed in 24/34 (70.6%) cases. In 4 (11.8%) of these cases, an intraepithelial neoplasia was present, and therefore these cases were hypothesized to be primary from fallopian tubes. For an additional 7/34 (20.6%) cases, a fallopian tube origin was considered a possible primary.

CONCLUSIONS

Fallopian tubes can be the primary site for a subset of pelvic high-grade serous carcinomas.

Fallopian tube carcinoma: a review

PURPOSE

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is a rare tumor that histologically and clinically resembles epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The purpose of this study is to review the current available literature data on PFTC.

PATIENTS AND RESULTS

Early clinical manifestation and prompt investigation often lead to diagnosis at an early stage of disease. However, the diagnosis of PFTC is rarely considered preoperatively and is usually first appreciated by the pathologist. Surgical staging/management and the use of chemotherapy follow the concepts used in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In contrast to EOC is the importance of early lymphatic spread in this disease. The earlier diagnosis of PFTC leads to an apparent better survival compared with EOC. However, as with EOC, stage and residual tumor are the most important prognostic variables.

CONCLUSION

Until more extensive clinical research has been performed, ovarian carcinoma management principles should be used in clinical practice.

Case report: Bone metastases from fallopian tube carcinoma

Fallopian tube carcinoma is a rare gynecologic tumor that has metastasized to bone in only one documented case. This case report is of a 56-year-old woman with a primary fallopian tube cancer metastasizing to her right femur and rib cage. This patient was referred to our orthopaedic department from her gynecologic oncologist. A total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy and oophorectomy revealed fallopian tube cancer. After surgery, the patient had progressive right thigh pain with activity. Radiographs of the femur showed a lytic lesion in the right proximal femur diaphysis with erosion of the medial cortex. We did an open biopsy and curettage of the lesion and intramedullary rod placement. The biopsy confirmed a metastatic lesion arising from the primary fallopian tube cancer. Currently, the patient is recovering and is receiving radiation and chemotherapy. In this case report, we discuss the presentation and treatment course of the patient and summarize the available literature on fallopian tube carcinomas.

Intraperitoneal serous adenocarcinoma: a critical appraisal of three hypotheses on its cause

OBJECTIVE

Serous ovarian, Fallopian tube, and peritoneal adenocarcinomas are remarkably similar, both in their morphology, as well as in their clinical behavior. Despite extensive clinical and fundamental research, controversy still exists on the origin of serous female adnexal tumors. Difficulties in identification of site of origin at late stage the of disease at detection, when ovary, Fallopian tube, and the abdominal cavity are usually all involved, in addition to their macroscopic and microscopic resemblance, are major causes of this debate. In 3 hypotheses, 3 possible tissues of origin are proposed: the ovarian surface epithelium, the Fallopian tube epithelium, and the secondary Mullerian system.

STUDY DESIGN

We searched for all peer-reviewed articles and reviews that examined "serous ovarian carcinoma," "Fallopian tube carcinoma," "Mullerian system," "ovarian surface epithelium," "tubal epithelium," and "peritoneal." We included only articles that could give information on the origin of serous carcinomas. Additional articles were added by examining references of overview articles in relevant fields.

RESULTS

Discussed are the experimental data underlying these hypotheses.

CONCLUSION

An attempt is made to integrate the 3 hypotheses into a comprehensive model of serous intraperitoneal adenocarcinogenesis. It can be concluded that the Fallopian tubes play a major role in the development of female serous cancer.

Fallopian tube malignancies: experience of Social Security Agency Aegean Maternity Hospital

The aim of the study was to determine the clinical characteristics and management of fallopian tube malignancies together with the results there unto that had been diagnosed and treated in our oncology department retrospectively. Twelve cases of fallopian tube malignancies, of a total of 2155 gynecologic malignancies (0.55%), that had been diagnosed in or referred to our hospital between January 1986 and December 2001 were evaluated retrospectively. Eight of 12 cases were diagnosed after surgical intervention in our department. Staging laparotomies were applied to all of the eight cases. Complementary surgeries of other four cases who were referred to our department were done according to the same principles of cytoreductive surgery. Staging of the cases was done according to Federation of International Gynecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO). Adjuvant chemotherapy was applied to all of the cases except two (10 cases, 83.3%). Second-look laparotomy (SLL) was applied to two of the cases. Mean age of the cases was 54.2 (range 35-72) years. Histopathology of the cases was as follows: serous adenocarcinoma in 10 cases (83.3%), endometrioid adenocarcinoma in one case (8.3%), and undifferentiated carcinoma in one case (8.3%). Adjuvant chemotherapy (PAC regimen to eight of the cases and PP regimen to two cases) was applied to 10 of the cases (83.3%). SLL was applied to two cases. Another case had died because of local recurrence at the 27th month of the follow-up. Mean follow-up period of the cases was 37.8 months (range 1-144 months). Fallopian tube malignancies are very rare malignancies. Diagnosis can be made generally peri- or postoperatively. More extensive clinical research must be performed in order to have definite etiologic, diagnostic, management modalities, and prognostic markers.

MR imaging of common and uncommon large pelvic masses

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is often used in the detection and staging of large pelvic masses. Many large masses in the female pelvis arise from the reproductive organs (eg, uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes). In addition, these masses may arise from the gastrointestinal system, urinary system, adjacent soft tissues, peritoneum, or retroperitoneum or from metastases. The majority of large masses in the female pelvis represent such commonly encountered entities as uterine fibroid tumor, dermoid tumor, ovarian cyst, and ovarian cancer. However, uncommon pelvic masses such as mesothelioma, adenocarcinoma, carcinosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and desmoid tumor may also be seen. Thus, the differential diagnosis for female pelvic masses is extensive. However, the site of origin, MR imaging characteristics, and clinical history may all help narrow the differential diagnosis. Although with large tumors it may not always be possible to determine the site of origin or distinguish between various tumors at radiology, familiarity with the clinicopathologic and MR imaging features of common and uncommon pelvic masses is important for diagnosis and treatment.

Recurrent metastatic fallopian tube carcinoma in pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Fallopian tube cancer is the rarest of all gynecologic cancers. An extensive literature search on Medline reveals no previous case reports of fallopian tube carcinoma in association with a term pregnancy.

CASE

A woman with surgical stage IIB fallopian tube carcinoma was treated with limited staging laparotomy, as per the patient's fertility wishes, followed by adjuvant cis-platinum and paclitaxel (Taxol). One year following chemotherapy, she conceived. She was noted to have an asymptomatic intraabdominal recurrence at 16 weeks. The patient completed 37 weeks of pregnancy without further therapy according to her wishes. She subsequently underwent a cesarean section with optimal tumor reduction surgery. Carboplatin and paclitaxel were reinstituted, achieving partial response. She is presently alive with stable disease status 6 months after completing her salvage chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

This is the first case report of recurrent fallopian tube cancer in pregnancy.

Complete response to topotecan of recurrent fallopian tube carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To describe the first complete response of recurrent Fallopian tube carcinoma to topotecan.

METHODS

A patient with recurrent Fallopian tube carcinoma previously treated with paclitaxel (Taxol) and carboplatin is described.

RESULTS

This patient demonstrated a complete clinical response to topotecan. Radiographic and CA-125 measurements were used to determine response. Response was noted after four cycles and a complete response demonstrated after six treatments.

CONCLUSION

Topotecan appears active in recurrent Fallopian tube carcinoma.