J Korean Soc Radiol.  2012 Feb;66(2):163-168. 10.3348/jksr.2012.66.2.163.

Imaging Findings of Primary Tubal Malignancy

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea. mrbeen2336@gmail.com
  • 2Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

PURPOSE
To describe the radiologic findings of primary tubal malignancy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study described the imaging findings of 27 patients with 28 cases of primary tubal malignancy. Of the 27 patients examined, 23 underwent CT, 3 underwent MRI and 4 underwent ultrasonography. Image findings were analyzed according to size, proportion of cyst, shape, and associated findings of tumor.
RESULTS
The mean tumor diameter was 5.3 cm (range 2.0-13.1 cm). According to proportion of cyst within the tumor, each case was categorized in one of the four types: 10 cases (35.7%) of type I (> or = 75 of cystic portion), 2 cases (7.1%) of type II (50-75%), 3 cases (10.7%) of type III (25-50%) and 13 cases (46.4%) of type IV (< or = 25%). According to the shape of the tumor, 7 cases (25%) were round, 12 cases (42.9%) were lobular, and 9 cases (32.1%) were tubular. Moreover, septa were observed in 8 cases (28.6%), wall thickening was observed in 13 cases (46.4%), and hydrosalpinx was observed in 11 cases (39.3%).
CONCLUSION
The imaging findings of tubal cancer manifests from a solid to a cystic mass. It is a challenge to differentiate primary tubal cancer from ovarian cancer, but when it is associated with hydrosalpinx or the shape of the tumor is lobular or tubular, primary tubal cancer can be suggested as part of the differential diagnosis.


MeSH Terms

Diagnosis, Differential
Fallopian Tubes
Female
Humans
Ovarian Neoplasms

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