Fallopian tube carcinoma: a review.
OBJECTIVE
Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is a rare tumor that histologically and clinically resembles epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The purpose of this study is to review the current available literature data on PFTC.


RESULTS
Early clinical manifestation and prompt investigation often lead to diagnosis at an early stage of disease. However, the diagnosis of PFTC is rarely considered preoperatively and is usually first appreciated by the pathologist. Surgical staging/management and the use of chemotherapy follow the concepts used in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). In contrast to EOC is the importance of early lymphatic spread in this disease. The earlier diagnosis of PFTC leads to an apparent better survival compared with EOC. However, as with EOC, stage and residual tumor are the most important prognostic variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Until more extensive clinical research has been performed, ovarian carcinoma management principles should be used in clinical practice.
Pectasides
Dimitrios
D
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Propaedeutic, Oncology Section, Attikon University Hospital, Rimini 1, Haidari, Athens, Greece. pectasid@otenet.gr
Pectasides
Eirini
E
Economopoulos
Theofanis
T
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005185:Fallopian Tube Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans