Cancer of the Fallopian Tube - Diagnosis
Contents:
Due to the lack of symptoms in its early stages, cancer of the fallopian
tubes is not easy to diagnose. The majority of cases are diagnosed by accident
when the patient is having surgery for some other reason. However, if your
doctor suspects the presence of a tumour, there are several tests that may be
performed. He/she will probably begin by taking a history and doing an internal
pelvic examination to feel for the shape, size and position of the pelvic
organs. Blood tests and an ultrasound of the pelvis may be ordered.
Once cancer of the fallopian tubes is suspected, patients should be referred
to a specialist gynaecological
oncologist. Following further tests, an operation called a laparotomy
will be performed in most cases. During this operation, the surgeon will assess
the spread of the cancer and will attempt to remove much, if not all, of the
cancer. What is removed will be sent to a pathologist
for testing. The results will allow the doctor to stage
the disease and plan any further treatment.
The following stages are used for cancer of the fallopian tube:
 | Stage I |
Cancer is limited to one or both fallopian tubes.
| Stage II |
Cancer is found in one or both fallopian tubes and/or has spread to other
organs in the pelvis such as the uterus,
ovaries, bladder
and bowel.
| Stage III |
Cancer is found in one or both fallopian tubes and has spread outside the pelvis
to other organs in the abdomen
(such as the intestines) or to lymph
nodes in the abdomen.
| Stage IV |
Cancer is found in one or both fallopian tubes and has spread outside the
abdomen or has spread to inside the liver.
| Recurrent |
Recurrent cancer is cancer that has come back (recurred) after it was
treated. Recurrent cancer is never re-staged and may not recur in the fallopian
tubes.
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