Information & support About ovarian cancer and treatment Fallopian tube cancer . Download booklet Order printed booklet . Content What is fallopian tube cancer? Fallopian tube cancer risk factors Fallopian tube cancer symptoms Tests for fallopian tube cancer Diagnosis Treating fallopian tube cancer - surgery and chemotherapy Follow-up care Support for you . Ovacome is a national charity providing support to anyone ovarian cancer. We give information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and research. Ovacome runs a telephone and email support line and works to raise awareness and give a voice to all those affected by ovarian cancer. . What is fallopian tube cancer? Cancer of the fallopian tubes is a rare disease making up just one in a hundred (one per cent) of all female reproductive cancers. Fallopian tube cancer is similar to ovarian cancer, but starts in the fallopian tubes; these are the two very fine 10 centimetre long tubes that connect the womb to the ovaries. The most common form of fallopian tube cancer is adenocarcinoma which begins in the epithelial cells which are part of the lining of the fallopian tubes. Other very rare forms are transitional cell cancer which develops in the stretchy cells within the tube lining, and sarcoma which occurs in the muscular parts of the fallopian tubes. . Fallopian tube cancer risk factors The causes of fallopian tube cancer are unknown, but it is known to be linked to mutations in BRCA genes, which increase the risks of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Those with two or more close relatives such as a mother, sister or daughter who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer may have an increased risk of fallopian tube cancer. Age is also a risk factor as fallopian tube cancer is most common in people in their 50s and 60s. . Fallopian tube cancer symptoms Fallopian tube cancer symptoms may include one or more of the following: Vaginal bleeding that is not related to periods. Watery vaginal discharge that may contain blood. Abdominal pain. Abdominal swelling. . Tests for fallopian tube cancer Your GP will probably examine your abdomen for any lumps or tenderness and may give you an internal pelvic examination to check for any abnormalities around your womb and ovaries. Your GP may also offer you a CA125 blood test. This tests for a protein in your blood which can act as a cancer marker; a normal level is under 35. CA125 levels can be raised by other health conditions as well as cancers. The blood test results should take about a week. Your GP may also refer you for an ultrasound scan, when sound waves give a picture of your internal organs. This may be followed by a referral for a CT scan when x-rays are used to build up a three dimensional image of the inside of the body. These scans can help in your diagnosis and in planning treatment. . Diagnosis If you are suspected of having fallopian tube cancer you will be referred to a hospital gynaecological oncology team for further investigations. This team will discuss appropriate investigations and treatment options with you. Sometimes a biopsy is needed to help with diagnosis. This can be done by an imaging guided laparoscopy which is a small operation under general anaesthetic. A thin fibre optic tube is inserted into the abdomen to look at the fallopian tubes and take samples to check for cancer cells. Or you may have a laparotomy when a surgical cut is made into the abdomen under general anaesthetic to examine internal organs and confirm a diagnosis. If you are diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer it will be given a stage that describes how far it has spread. The staging of fallopian cancer uses the same system as ovarian cancer so for more information look at Ovacome booklet The stages of ovarian cancer. . Treating fallopian tube cancer – surgery and chemotherapy Those diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer should be treated by a gynaecological oncologist who will be part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes all the people who will plan and deliver their care. It is treated using surgery and chemotherapy in the same way as ovarian cancer. . Surgery Treatment for fallopian tube cancer is usually to remove as much of the cancer as possible followed by chemotherapy to destroy remaining cancer cells. Sometimes you may be advised to have some chemotherapy before the surgery to shrink the cancer before operating. The gynaecological oncologist will discuss this with you. The operation is similar to ovarian cancer surgery. It will remove the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, womb, cervix and a fatty layer that lies over the organs in the abdomen called the omentum. This operation is called a total abdominal hysterectomy bilateral salpingo oophorectomy and omentectomy. You will be in hospital for about three to seven days after your operation. . Chemotherapy After a few weeks, when you have recovered from your operation, you will probably be offered chemotherapy by an oncologist. This is to treat any remaining cancer cells that the surgeon could not remove. Chemotherapy for fallopian tube cancer is usually the same as for ovarian cancer. The most commonly used drugs are carboplatin and paclitaxel (Taxol) which may be used together. You will probably be offered six cycles of these. You will be given the chemotherapy drugs intravenously through a vein as a hospital outpatient. Chemotherapy can cause unpleasant side effects but these can usually be controlled with other medicines. Side effects can include nausea, tingling in your hands and feet, a sore mouth and loss of appetite, a lowering of your blood cell count making you vulnerable to infection, and hair loss. If you experience hair loss, it will grow back and within six months you should have a covering of hair. For more information see Ovacome booklet Chemotherapy. . Follow up care When your treatment has finished you will have a programme of follow up appointments to check your health. This may include blood tests. You should contact your doctor or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) if you have problems or notice any new symptoms. . Support for you Ovacome is the UK 's national ovarian cancer support charity. We've been providing emotional support and personalised, expert information since 1996. Contact our support line by phone, email or text if you have questions about a diagnosis, or if you just want to talk things through. We support anyone affected by ovarian cancer, including family members, carers, those with an inherited risk, and health professionals working in the field. We run support group and events, both in person and online, providing an opportunity to connect with others. Find out more about our groups and events here. . If you would like more information on the sources and references for this page, or if you would like to discuss anything about ovarian cancer, please phone our support line on 0800 008 7054 Monday to Friday between 10am and 5pm. Booklet text reviewed by Valerie Ng, Macmillan gynaecology clinical nurse specialist (research nurse), Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Disclaimer: Ovacome provides information and support. We make every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information at the time of printing. The information we give is not a substitute for professional medical care. If you suspect you have cancer you should consult your doctor as quickly as possible. Ovacome cannot accept liability for any inaccuracy in linked sources. Rights reserved. V.2.2. Last updated February 2023, due for review December 2023 Did you find this page helpful? We welcome your feedback. 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