Cancer Res Treat.  2009 Jun;41(2):113-116.

Primary Carcinoma of the Fallopian Tube: Report of Two Cases with Literature Review

• Jeung IC
• Lee YS
• Lee HN
• Park EK

Abstract

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is a rare tumor that histologically and clinically resembles epithelial ovarian cancer. PFTC has a worse prognosis than ovarian cancer as it is not routinely suspected and so treatment may be delayed. The early clinical manifestations and a prompt investigation can often lead to a correct diagnosis at an early stage. The preoperative diagnosis is usually difficult, and most patients with PFTC undergo laparotomy with the presumed diagnosis of ovarian carcinoma according to the presence of an adnexal mass. PFTC can present preoperatively as a tubo-ovarian abscess and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute pelvic peritonitis. PFTC should be suspected by clinicians even if the presenting symptoms are atypical. We report here on two cases of PFTC along with a brief review of the literature.

Keyword

PFTC; Tubo-ovarian abscess; Intraoperative finding

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Diagnosis, Differential
Fallopian Tubes
Female
Humans
Laparotomy
Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial
Ovarian Neoplasms
Peritonitis
Prognosis
Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial
Ovarian Neoplasms

Figure

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  Fig. 1 (A) Transvaginal ultrasonography showing a multilocular cyst with incomplete septation. (B) Computed tomographic scan showing the tubo-ovarian abscess-like appearance of PFTC. (C) Histologic presentation of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma (H & E, ×200).

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  Fig. 2 (A) Transvaginal ultrasonography showing a solid mass in the right adnexae. (B) Computed tomographic (CT) scan showing a solid tubular mass of the right adnexa, and the mass is weekly enhanced. (C) Laparoscopy shows the tumor distending the right fallopian tube. Note the papillary projections out of the tube. (D) Serous carcinoma showing slit-like glandular spaces admixed with complex papillae and pasmmoma bodies (H & E, ×100).

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