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. 2013 Apr;129(1):120-3.
doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2012.12.006. Epub 2012 Dec 10.

Serial sectioning of the fallopian tube allows for improved identification of primary fallopian tube carcinoma

Ernst Lengyel  1 , Saroj Fleming, Kelsey A McEwen, Anthony Montag, Sarah M Temkin
Affiliations

Serial sectioning of the fallopian tube allows for improved identification of primary fallopian tube carcinoma

Ernst Lengyel et al. Gynecol Oncol. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: Serial sectioning of the fallopian tube in women undergoing risk reducing surgery has been shown to increase the detection rate of occult malignancy in BRCA mutation carriers. We undertook this study to determine whether this protocol at the time of surgery for ovarian cancer (OV) or primary peritoneal malignancies (PP) changes the detection rate of fallopian tube carcinoma (FT). We secondarily investigated where this difference affects patient outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective review of 130 patients treated at the University of Chicago Medical Center for ovarian, peritoneal or fallopian tube carcinoma was conducted. Sixty five patients diagnosed with OV, PP or FT who had serial sectioning of the fallopian tubes at the time of diagnoses (SS) were compared to 65 patients whose fallopian tubes were sectioned in a standard fashion (PSS).

Results: Serial sectioning of the fallopian tube at the time of pathologic examination in women with presumed OV or PP led to an increase in the number of women diagnosed with FT as the primary site of origin (p<0.001). Clinical or pathologic risk factors leading to an increased risk of FT were not identified. Survival between the two groups was similar.

Conclusion: In women with presumed OV or PP, serial sectioning identifies women with FT. FT may be more common than previously noted; however distinct biologic or clinical behavior to differentiate it from OV or PP could not be identified. Clinical management of FT should continue to be the same as that of OV or PP.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Progression free and overall survival in patients with ovarian, peritoneum and fallopian tube carcinoma during the study time period. P = 0.23 and 0.09 respectively.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Progression free and overall survival in patients prior to and following serial sectioning of the fallopian tube. P = 0.48 and 0.12 respectively.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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