[Fallopian tube: the dark face of pelvic carcinogenesis]

Ovarian carcinomas are a heterogeneous group of lesions, among which serous histologic subtype is the most frequent. Ovarian and peritoneal serous carcinomas are subdivided into low- and high-grade tumors. Low-grade carcinomas derive from serous tumors of low malignant potentiel, while high-grade carcinomas were thought to derive de novo from ovarian surface epithelium. Studies from prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy in women with BRCA mutations revealed a precursor to pelvic serous carcinomas that originates in the distal fallopian tube, called STIC (serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma). This review reports new findings on serous carcinogenesis in the tube (SCAT). It brings an explanation in French on different terminologies used in the English literature these last years such as SCOUT (secretory cell outgrowth), p53 signature, TILT (tubal intraepithelial lesion in transition), STIC and SCAT and on the macroscopic protocol of Brigham and Women's Hospital of annexectomies specially in the setting of BRCA mutation, the SEE-FIM (sectioning and extensively examining the fimbriated end of the fallopian tube).