Cytologic studies of the fallopian tube in patients undergoing salpingo-oophorectomy

Abstract

BackgroundMounting evidence suggests the fallopian tube as the origin for ovarian high grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). We attempted to identify the tubal cytological features that allow us to distinguish malignant from benign conditions.MethodsTubal specimens (n = 56) were collected from patients who underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) due to various clinical indications. A standard procedure to collect fallopian tube brushings from freshly received surgical specimens was developed. Cytological diagnoses were classified into three categories: benign, atypical, and suspicious for malignancy/malignant. Cytological variables of individual cells and epithelia were subjected to statistical analysis. The fallopian tube histology was used as diagnostic reference for confirmation of cytology diagnosis.ResultsAmong the 56 fallopian tube specimens, 2 (3.7 %) showed inadequate cellularity preventing further evaluation, 11 (20.4 %) were diagnosed as malignant or suspicious of malignancy, 7 were atypical, and 36 were benign. The presence of three dimensional clusters (p < 0.0001, Fisher’s Exact Test), or prominent nucleoli (p = 0.0252, Fisher Exact test) was highly correlated with the diagnosis of malignancy. The suspicious malignant/malignant cytological diagnosis was also highly correlated with presence of HGSC with or without serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC).ConclusionsTubal cytology may be useful for ovarian cancer screening and early detection.

Primary Fallopian Tube Adenocarcinoma Discovered with the Vaginal Cytology: A Case Report with Pathological and Immunohistochemical Investigation

“…Tubal carcinomas commonly tained by hydrotubation were reported to be useful for diagnosis adenocarcinoma in situ in the fallopian tube [12]. Chen et al [13] have recently developed a standard procedure to collect fallopian tube brushing from fresh surgical specimens. They have proved that tubal brushing cytology is useful for early detection of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC).…”

A Case of Serous Tubal Intraepithelial Carcinoma Diagnosed by Cytology during the Operation

“…In addition, inflammation of the fallopian tube, such as ovulation, menstrual cytokines or infection, has been hypothesized to be a cause of ovarian malignancies [15] [16]. However, a few studies on cytology of STIC have been reported [13] [17]. We report here a case of STIC diagnosed by cytology during the operation.…”

“…Cytology obtained by hydrotubation could be useful for diagnosing adenocarcinoma in situ of the fallopian tube [27]. Recently, an interesting cytological study on the fallopian tube during salpingo-oophorectomy has been reported by Chen et al [13]. They have developed a standard procedure to collect fallopian tube brushing from freshly received surgical specimens and proved that tubal brushing cytology is useful for early detection of STIC and ovarian cancer screening [13].…”

“…The incidence of STIC has been reported to range from 0.6% to 7% in BRCA mutations carriers [11] [12]. The tubal cytology is reported to be useful for ovarian cancer screening and detection [13]. More than 70% of non-hereditary or sporadic ovarian carcinoma and HGSOC involve fallopian tube and STIC is the earliest form of HGSOC with recognizable morphology [7] [14].…”

Cytomorphologic and molecular analyses of fallopian tube fimbrial brushings for diagnosis of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma

“…In a subsequent report, Chen et al described a method using a cytobrush for sample collection, which was applied in a study cohort that included specimens with STIC . In all cases with histologically confirmed STIC or carcinoma, cells with malignant nuclear features were detected by cytology.…”