Fallopian Tube Cancer

Fallopian tube cancer occurs when cells grow uncontrollably and form a tumor. Fallopian tube cancer starts in the lining of the fallopian tube. Fallopian tubes are thin tubes that connect the ovaries and the uterus.

Types of fallopian tube cancer include:

  • Endometrioid adenocarcinomas

  • Leiomyosarcomas

  • Serous adenocarcinomas

Risk Factors for Fallopian Tube Cancer

Some people who get fallopian tube cancer have a specific mutation in their DNA that increases their risk of getting fallopian tube cancer. Our hereditary cancer program can provide important information to you and your family so we can identify cancer early, when it is most treatable, and plan your treatment.

Risk factors associated with fallopian tube cancer include:

  • Age.
  • Family history of fallopian tube cancer.
  • Genetic mutations in DNA, including BRCA1.
Doctor consulting woman patient

Make an appointment

For more information, please contact your oncologist or the Cancer Care Center at (859) 301-2237, option 2.

Causes of Fallopian Tube Cancer

The causes of fallopian tube cancer are not yet known. Your risk of developing the disease is higher if you have any of the known risk factors.

Symptoms of Fallopian Tube Cancer

Most women with early-stage fallopian tube cancer will have no symptoms. Women with advanced fallopian tube cancer typically experience some or all of the following:

  • A bump or lump in the pelvic region.
  • Irregular bleeding, especially after menopause.
  • Irregular vaginal discharge.
  • Pain in the abdomen or low belly.

Diagnosing Fallopian Tube Cancer

If your doctor suspects that you have fallopian tube cancer, we may run tests to determine the type of cancer and develop the best treatment plan. These tests include:

  • Biopsy.
  • Blood tests to check genetic makeup and blood markers.
  • CT scan.
  • MRI.
  • PET/CT scan.
  • Pelvic exam.
  • Ultrasound.

If you’ve been diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer, we can provide a second opinion and present treatment options.

Treating Fallopian Tube Cancer

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we believe in caring for you, not just treating your cancer. Our holistic approach means we combine cancer treatment with working to minimize side effects and help you manage them. Our goal is to make you as comfortable as possible while we use innovative approaches to treat your cancer.

Your treatment plan for fallopian tube cancer usually begins with surgery. Depending on the stage of your cancer and whether it has spread, your treatment may also include:

  • Chemotherapy — Therapy that uses drugs injected through IV, taken by mouth or applied on the skin to attack and kill cancer cells.

  • Clinical trials — Innovative drug and genetic therapies used to treat fallopian tube cancers.

  • Immunotherapy — Medication therapy that stimulates your own immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells.

  • Interventional radiation procedures — Nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedures to kill or shrink tumors.

  • Radiation therapy — Therapy that uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.

  • Surgery — A procedure to remove cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

  • Precision medicine — Medication therapy that uses your DNA to specifically target the cells that lead to cancer and stop cancer from forming and spreading.

  • Supportive care — Helping you coordinate appointments and treating the side effects of cancer or treatment.

Your Cancer Care Team

Cancer Research Physicians

The team includes medical oncologists specializing in immunotherapy and precision medicine, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, interventional radiologists, thoracic surgeons, pain management specialists, genetic counselors, pathologists, nutritionists, pharmacists, nurses and support staff. They work together to create a treatment plan that’s just right for you.

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