PRIMARY-CANCER OF THE FALLOPIAN-TUBE - REPORT OF 26 PATIENTS

Background. Due to rarity of fallopian tube cancer most series on this tumor are small and many problems have remained unsolved. The aim of this report is to review our experience with this neoplasm and to comp are it with previously published data. Methods. Retrospective study of 26 patients with fallopian tube cancer treated in one institution bet ween 1974 and 1994. All patients underwent primary surgical treatment and 18 received adjuvant therapy including pelvic irradiation in 14 ca ses and chemotherapy in four. Results. Relapse occurred in 18 out of 2 5 followed up patients. Upper abdominal component of relapse was encou ntered in 12 patients (67%), pelvic component - in eight (44%) and ext raperitoneal component - in six (33%). Pelvic relapse occurred in two out of 13 followed up patients treated with postoperative irradiation and in six out of 12 who did not receive postoperative radiotherapy Su rvival ranged from 6 to 218+months (median 23 months). Five-year actua l survival was 33%. There were no 2-year survivors in patients present ing with stage II-IV disease. No correlation was found between tumor g rade and survival. Conclusions. Fallopian tube cancer is a treatable d isease but cure can be only achieved in patients with early tumor. Pos toperative radiotherapy may result in better local control but does no t preclude extrapelvic dissemination, therefore adjuvant chemotherapy should be considered in high risk patients. Registration of all new ca ses as well as prospective multicenter studies are warranted to establ ish optimal management. (C) Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1996