Primary tubal carcinoma: a retrospective analysis of four cases with a literature review.

With an incidence of 0.1% to 1.0% of all genital malignancies, primary tubal carcinoma is a rare malignant disease of the female genital tract. The prognosis is generally regarded as very poor. It is comparable with that of ovarian carcinoma. From 1980-1995, four patients were treated for primary tubal carcinoma at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University of Homburg/Saar. FIGO stages IIa-IV were manifested as the primary stage. Surgery was performed as primary treatment in all patients. Both chemotherapy and percutaneous radiation were used as adjuvant postoperative therapy. The recurrence-free interval was 18-30 months. One patient died 21 months after primary diagnosis. The other free patients are in a period of follow-up observation of 16-96 months in an NC or CR status.