Carcinoma of the fallopian tube.

BACKGROUND

The objective of the current study was to increase insight into the biology of fallopian tube carcinoma through an analysis of possible clinical and pathologic determinants of prognosis and to formulate recommendations with regard to a more optimal therapeutic approach for patients with this rare disease.

METHODS

A study was performed of the pathology specimens and clinical case records from 151 patients with fallopian tube carcinoma who were treated consecutively. Both univariate and multivariate analyses of possible prognostic factors were performed for the whole group and for the subgroup of 41 patients with Stage I disease. The possible significance of serum CA-125 levels as a tumor marker and a marker of response to platinum-containing chemotherapy was evaluated.

RESULTS

In multivariate analysis, disease stage, the presence of residual tumor, and a hydrosalpinx-like appearance of the fallopian tube were of independent prognostic significance for the whole cohort. For patients with Stage I disease, the depth of infiltration in the tubal wall and intraoperative tumor rupture were of independent prognostic significance. The marked tendency of this disease for extraperitoneal spread, even in apparently early stages, was confirmed. In 37 evaluable, platinum-naïve patients, an overall response rate of 70% was obtained with platinum-based chemotherapy, with a median response duration of 12.5 months. In view of its low efficacy and high rate of serious complications, the use of postoperative radiotherapy in the treatment of patients with fallopian tube carcinoma is no longer recommended. Serum CA-125 level measurements in fallopian tube carcinoma patients have the same significance as tumor and surrogate markers of response as in ovarian carcinoma patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Prognostic factors in patients with early stage (Stages 0 and I) fallopian tube carcinoma seem to differ from those in patients with early stage ovarian carcinoma. For patients with more advanced stage disease, due to the striking similarities in prognostic and clinical characteristics between the two diseases, the authors recommend that the treatment and follow-up strategies for patients with ovarian carcinoma be adopted in the management of patients with fallopian tube carcinoma.