Malignant Lesions of the Fallopian Tube and Broad Ligament Clinical Presentation

Author: Hetal B Gor, MD, FACOG; Chief Editor: Warner K Huh, MD more...

Updated: Feb 11, 2011

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History
Physical
Causes
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History

Malignant lesions of the fallopian tube

Patients may present with pelvic pain, a pelvic mass, postmenopausal bleeding, and serosanguineous vaginal discharge.

The classic description of hydrops tubae profluens, which is characterized by colicky lower abdominal pain relieved by a profuse, serous, watery, yellow, intermittent, vaginal discharge, usually is not found.

Malignant lesions of the broad ligament

A clinical history of vague abdominal pain may be present. Upon examination or with abdominal exploration, an adnexal mass is found.

Rarely, it can manifest as an acute abdominal emergency, simulating appendicitis.

Physical

Physical examination findings are not specific; a pelvic mass usually is present, with or without ascites.

Diagnostic criteria include the following:

Grossly, the main tumor should be in the fallopian tube.
Histologically, the tubal mucosa should be involved, with a papillary pattern.
The tubal wall, if involved, and a transition from benign to malignant tubal epithelium should be identified.
The lesion is a more advanced stage of tubal tumor than the other tumors.

Causes

The exact etiology is unknown.

Infertility and chronic salpingitis were believed to lead to an increase in incidence, but this theory has not been proven. However, malignancy has been associated with tuberculous salpingitis.

Similar to ovarian malignancy, a BRCA germline mutation and TP53 mutation are associated with fallopian tube malignancy.

Proceed to Differential Diagnoses

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Hetal B Gor, MD, FACOG Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Private Practice

Hetal B Gor, MD, FACOG is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

John Paulson, MD Clinical Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Eastern Virginia Medical School; Professor of Clinical Obstetrics/Gynecology, Medical College of Virginia; Associate Director, Residency Program, Riverside Health System

John Paulson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and International College of Surgeons US Section

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Karen Loeb Lifford, MD Director of General Gynecology, Associate Program Director, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Instructor, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Karen Loeb Lifford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Massachusetts Medical Society, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Michel E Rivlin, MD Professor, Coordinator of Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi School of Medicine

Michel E Rivlin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, Mississippi State Medical Association, and Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Frederick B Gaupp, MD Consulting Staff, Department of Family Practice, Hancock Medical Center

Frederick B Gaupp, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Warner K Huh, MD Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Senior Scientist, Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama School of Medicine

Warner K Huh, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Clinical Oncology, Massachusetts Medical Society, and Society of Gynecologist Oncologists

Disclosure: MERCK Consulting fee Consulting; GSK Consulting fee Consulting; ROCHE PHARMA/DIAGNOSTICS Consulting fee Consulting; HOLOGICS Consulting fee Consulting; HELIX BIOPHARMA Consulting fee Consulting; COVIDIEN Consulting fee Consulting; INTUITIVE SURGICAL Surgical Proctor

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