Primary adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube

Nineteen women with a mean age of 62 were treated for primary adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube from 1960 to 1980. Common presentations were bleeding or discharge, pelvic mass, and pain. Cervical cytology was positive in five of eleven cases; endometrial curettings revealed adenocarcinoma in three of nine cases. Staging was by a system analogous to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification of ovarian carcinoma: 11% stage I, 44% stage II, 28% stage III, and 17% stage IV. Bleeding and abnormal cervical cytology were associated with earlier stage lesions and better prognosis. The most common treatment was excision of the primary tumor and gross intraperitoneal metastases. Total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed in 14 cases. Thirteen patients received 40-50 Gray of 2 MeV external beam pelvic radiation. Stages I and II had five-year survival of 100% and 63%. However, 38% of stage II patients had late extrapelvic relapses, and two early stage patients suffered serious complications of radiation therapy. All stage III and IV patients died of disease, 63% within the first 3 years. Based upon these results and review of other modern series, the importance of early diagnosis and complete surgical staging is emphasized, and stage-specific adjuvant therapy recommended.