What is fallopian tube cancer?
Fallopian tube cancer occurs when abnormal cells in one or both fallopian tubes grow in an uncontrolled way.
About the fallopian tubes
The fallopian tubes connect the upper, outermost part of the uterus with the ovaries. There is one tube on each side of the uterus.
In women of reproductive age, an egg is released from one of the ovaries into the fallopian tube every month (ovulation).
The tube helps to move the egg into the uterus with small hair-like projections called cilia, which line the inside of the tube.
In the uterus (also called the womb), the egg is either fertilised by male sperm or shed during menstruation (known as your period).
The two main types of fallopian tube cancer are papillary serous adenocarcinomas and leiomyosarcomas and transitional cell carcinomas.
Explore statistics on gynaecological cancer, including the number of new cases, deaths, survival rates, and overall prevalence.
Having a family history of ovarian, breast, or bowel cancer, a genetic mutation, Lynch syndrome, or increasing age can raise the risk of developing fallopian tube cancer.
Early-stage fallopian tube cancer often has no symptoms and may be discovered during a routine check-up or other surgery, while later symptoms can include abdominal pain, urinary changes, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge.
Fallopian tube cancer is often difficult to diagnose early due to a lack of symptoms and the tumor’s internal location, and is frequently discovered during surgery for other conditions.
Screening is the use of tests to detect a disease in people who have no symptoms.
Treatment for fallopian tube cancer involves surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or targeted therapy, depending on the cancer’s type, stage, and your general health.
Fallopian tube cancer diagnosis and treatment has many effects your physical and emotional wellbeing. Some of this is common to most cancer treatments, but some are more specific for fallopian tube cancers, because many of the treatments affect your sexual functioning.
The text provides information and support for individuals diagnosed with cancer, addressing physical, emotional, and practical concerns, and offering resources from various organizations.
Research is ongoing to find new ways to diagnose and treat different types of cancer. You may be invited to participate in a clinical trial to test new ways of treating fallopian tube cancer.
Details for professionals seeking comprehensive information on gynaecological cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Last updated 23 September 2024
