If you’ve never heard of fallopian tube cancer, you’re not alone. It is one of the rarest gynaecological cancers, which means it’s often unfamiliar to many women. Because of this rarity, the symptoms can be easy for you to overlook or mistake for other, less serious conditions.
The good news is that treatment outcomes are often very positive when fallopian tube cancer is detected early. Understanding more about this rare cancer can help you spot any warning signs and seek treatment before it progresses too far.
What is fallopian tube cancer?
The fallopian tubes are narrow passageways responsible for transporting eggs from the ovaries to the uterus and supporting normal menstrual cycles. Fallopian tube cancer develops when cells inside the tube grow abnormally and form a tumour as part of abnormal cancer development.
There are two main types of fallopian tube cancer:
Primary fallopian tube cancer:
The tumour begins in the tube lining itself.
Secondary fallopian tube cancer:
Cancer spreads from nearby organs such as the ovaries or uterus.
Because the tubes are small and deep inside the pelvis, early tumours don’t always cause noticeable symptoms. That’s why recognising changes in your body and getting checked when something feels off is so important.
What causes fallopian tube cancer?
Causes
The exact cause of fallopian tube cancer is not fully understood. Like other cancers in the reproductive system, it develops when changes in the DNA of your cells disrupt their normal growth and division. These changes can happen randomly, though they may be influenced by genetic or environmental factors.
In some cases, fallopian tube cancer is linked to inherited genetic mutations, particularly in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes, which can also increase your risk of ovarian cancer or breast cancer. Knowing about these factors can help you and your doctor take proactive steps for monitoring and prevention.
Risk factors
Certain factors may increase your risk of developing fallopian tube cancer. These do not mean that cancer is inevitable, but they provide important context for personalised screening and prevention discussions.
Age:
More likely to happen if you are over 50, though it can occur at any age.
Genetic predisposition:
If you carry a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, your risk may be higher.
Having Lynch syndrome (HNPCC) can also increase your chances due to changes in DNA repair.
Family history:
A history of breast or ovarian cancer in a close family member may indicate an inherited risk for you.
Infertility and fertility treatments:
If you have long periods of infertility or hormonal fertility therapies
Hormonal factors:
If you’ve had long-term exposure to oestrogen without progesterone
Reproductive history:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding affect your hormonal exposure and menstrual cycles, which may be relevant to your risk.
Understanding your risk factors allows for informed discussions with your healthcare provider and may guide decisions about screening or preventive strategies.
If you have multiple risk factors, a family history of related cancers, or want clearer guidance on what these risks mean for you, schedule a consultation at Thomson Medical for a personalised review and supportive next steps.
Key symptoms of fallopian tube cancer
Symptoms of fallopian tube cancer can be subtle and sometimes feel like other common conditions, which can make it easy to overlook. If you notice any of the following changes and they persist, it’s important to speak with your doctor:
You feel bloated or notice swelling in your abdomen
You have persistent pelvic or lower abdominal pain
You experience vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause
You notice unusual vaginal discharge, sometimes with foul-smelling odour
You urinate more often or notice any bowel changes
You experience unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or low energy
Listening to your body and seeking help early can make a real difference. By reviewing persistent changes with your doctor, you give your care team the best chance to provide personalised, accurate, and timely care.
Stages of fallopian tube cancer
The stage of fallopian tube cancer describes how far the cancer has spread at the time of diagnosis. This helps you understand treatment direction and expected outcomes.
Stage I:
Cancer is contained within one or both fallopian tubes.
Stage II:
Cancer has spread within the pelvis, such as to the uterus or ovaries.
Stage III:
Cancer has extended beyond the pelvis to the abdomen or nearby lymph nodes.
Stage IV:
Cancer has spread to distant organs, including the liver or lungs.
Doctors sometimes describe fallopian tube cancer by how far it has spread, rather than by numbered stages alone.
Local:
Cancer has not spread beyond your fallopian tubes.
Regional:
Cancer has spread to nearby abdominal organs or lymph nodes.
Distant:
Cancer has spread to organs further from the original site.
Staging gives your doctors a clear understanding of how far the disease has progressed, allowing them to better plan your treatment. By doing so, it helps you and your care team discuss prognosis and set care priorities with greater confidence and precision.
If you’ve been diagnosed, notice persistent symptoms, or want to better understand your personal risk, schedule a consultation at Thomson Medical for guidance that feels clear, supportive and tailored to you.
How is fallopian tube cancer diagnosed?
Diagnosing fallopian tube cancer can be emotionally and physically challenging, especially when you’re waiting for clarity. Your doctor may use several tests to understand exactly what’s happening, including:
Pelvic examination:
A gentle clinical pelvic exam for any unusual masses or tenderness
Ultrasound or MRI:
Detailed scans, including an ultrasound scan, that help your doctor view the pelvis and reproductive organs clearly.
CT scan:
A full-body imaging test used to check lymph nodes and other organs for possible cancer spread
Blood tests:
Laboratory tests used to measure tumour markers, such as a CA125 blood test, which may rise with cancer but are not diagnostic on their own
Biopsy or surgical evaluation:
A tissue test used to confirm cancer and determine its type and stage
Receiving a cancer diagnosis early can be frightening, but it also gives you clarity and more options. Your care team can follow the early detection to understand exactly what’s happening and set up a treatment plan that is carefully tailored to your individual circumstances.
Our gynaecologic oncology specialist
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How can fallopian tube cancer be treated?
The best treatment for you condition is shaped by key clinical details about your cancer and overall health. These include:
The size of the tumour and how far it has spread
How quickly the cancer is growing and how different it looks from healthy cells
The specific cancer cell form
Where in the fallopian tubes the cancer first developed
Personal health factors such as your age, medical history, and current health status
After evaluating these factors, your care team matches treatment options to your priorities, lifestyle, and care goals, including fertility preservation when relevant. Your doctors may then recommend one or more of the following treatment approaches.
Surgery
Surgery is usually the first treatment offered, with the goal of removing the tumour and evaluating cancer spread. Depending on your diagnosis, this may involve removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries or a more extensive surgical procedure such as a total abdominal hysterectomy, and in some cases, the uterus.
Your surgeon may also assess nearby lymph nodes or remove additional cancer tissue if the disease is more advanced. The intent of surgery is to treat the cancer and provide your clinical team with the information needed to plan your next steps.