Primary Tubal Cancers: A Clinicopathological Study of Twenty Cases

Objective: Primary tubal cancers are rare malignant tumors that account for approximately less than 1% of all gynecological malignancies. We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics of twenty cases of primary cancers of the fallopian tube. Material and Method: Twenty patients diagnosed as primary tubal cancer at the Pathology Department of the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine between October 1997 and December 2005 are described in our study. Results: The patient age ranged from 43 to 74 years. Of the patients, 13 underwent surgical staging. Most of the patients were classified as stage III. The most common histological type was serous carcinoma. Only one patient had another synchronous primary gynecologic cancer. Of the 11 patients with complete prognostic data, 9 were alive for 16 to 106 months after initial surgery. In conclusion, primary cancers of the fallopian tube are similar to ovarian cancers with their pathological features and usually advanced stage - cancers with peritoneal and lymphatic spread. They can be successfully treated with the combination of cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy. Conclusion: We suggest that a thorough macroscopic examination of gynecological specimens by the pathologists would increase the percentage of these "rare" tumors.