Analysis of 23 cases of primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube over 50 years.

The authors report on 23 cases of primary Fallopian tube carcinoma occurring over the past 50 years. In addition, the literature of the past 30 years was reviewed. The 5-year survival rate was 40%, increasing considerably with lower tumor stage or better tumor differentiation. The adjuvant therapies used did not prolong survival. Results were compared to other studies, and diagnostic and therapeutic trends are pointed out. Due to the rareness of the tumor, there are no controlled studies as to the effectiveness of therapeutic regimens. Therapy is purely empiric and usually follows the guidelines for ovarian cancer. There are no established tools for a safe preoperative diagnosis. The tumor is highly aggressive and quickly spreading. Initial tumor stage and differentiation are determinants for the prognosis. Therefore, a radical approach is indicated whenever a tubular malignancy cannot be excluded.