Sarcomas of the Fallopian Tube: Disentangling a Rare Entity

Abstract

Sarcomas of the fallopian tube are exceedingly rare malignancies. They have been considered the most lethal of all gynaecological malignancies with high metastatic potential, frequent recurrences and cancer-related deaths. The reported pathological types of the fallopian tube sarcomas are malignant mixed mullerian (mesodermal) tumours or carcinosarcomas, leiomyosarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, liposarcomas, and synovial sarcomas. The rarity of these sarcomas and their often aggressive clinical course has resulted in a relatively limited amount of literature. Thus a single hospital or specialist cannot gain sufficient experience with these tumours. This review article tries to elucidate this uncommon malignancy, in a systematic way, focusing on the different pathological types, epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, survival, and different therapeutic modalities (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy).

Giving birth after fertility‐sparing treatment for primary leiomyosarcoma of the fallopian tube

“…This gynecological neoplasm is characterized by local recurrence and distant metastases. [9][10][11] The tumor can sometimes prove highly aggressive, with a tendency for hematogenous dissemination even during the early stages, and associated with a high level of mortality. 2,9 However, long-term survival was reported in one stage-IIIC patient, 5 suggesting the heterogeneity of this malignancy.…”

“…Only 12 clearly identified cases have been reported over the past 30 years (Table 1), 1–10 and the precise cause and pathogenesis of PLFT are still incompletely understood. This gynecological neoplasm is characterized by local recurrence and distant metastases 9–11 . The tumor can sometimes prove highly aggressive, with a tendency for hematogenous dissemination even during the early stages, and associated with a high level of mortality 2,9 .…”

A Case Report of Incidental Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Fallopian Tube and a Review of the Recent Literature

“…Of these, adenocarcinomas account for over 85% 1. Fallopian tube sarcomas include synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma and LMS; these are all exceedingly rare with observations limited to case reports 2. As with other LMS, PLFT is characterized histologically by a proliferation of atypical spindle cells and numerous mitoses.…”

“…As with other LMS, PLFT is characterized histologically by a proliferation of atypical spindle cells and numerous mitoses. It is classically described as being highly aggressive with a significant rate of local recurrences and distant metastases 2. Primary uterine LMS has an incidence of ∼0.86 per 100,000 3 and adnexal invasion or metastasis has been reported to occur in ∼3% of cases 4.…”