Diagnosis and Treatment of Fallopian Tube Cancer

In the female reproductive tract eggs travel from the ovaries to the uterus via the fallopian tubes.

Fallopian Tube Cancer: A Rare Disease

Fallopian tube cancer is extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of all gynecological cancers. Fewer than 530 women are diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer each year in the United States. The vast majority of fallopian tube cancers are believed to have originated in other gynecological organs such as the endometrium or ovaries. Fallopian tube cancer can begin as dysplasia that progresses to cancer.

Genetics and Fallopian Tube Cancer

The general causes of fallopian cancer are unknown, however if you have a mutation in one of your BRCA genes (often referred to as “the breast cancer genes”) you could be at increased risk of developing fallopian tube cancer.

If you know that you carry a BRCA mutation, it is important to include fallopian tube cancer in the panel of diseases that you will be rigorously screened for in order to increase your chances of early detection. In addition, because fallopian tube cancer can be caused by genetic alterations it can be useful for patients and their families to be evaluated by a genetic counselor, even if there is currently no known family information about BRCA mutations.

Stanford Cancer Center's genetic counselors who specialize in BRCA genetic mutations can determine who in your family is at risk and needs to be closely monitored.

Stanford Expertise

Because fallopian tube cancer is so rare, the majority of the time women aren’t property diagnosed until after they have had surgery where it becomes apparent. At this point it is important that your doctor is familiar with the disease so that you get the best treatment possible.

Physicians at the Stanford Cancer Center have experience treating women with fallopian tube cancer, and even run clinical trials aimed at finding better medicines such as thalidomide and oral navelbine.

Fertility-conserving surgery and advanced assisted reproductive technology are also an intergrated part of fallopian tube treatment at the Stanford Cancer Center, to help maximize your child-bearing options whenever possible.