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eISSN 2951-0805
    J Korean Soc Radiol. 2012 Feb;66(2):163-168. Korean.
    Published online Feb 29, 2012.
    https://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2012.66.2.163
    Copyright © 2012 The Korean Society of Radiology
    Original Article

    Imaging Findings of Primary Tubal Malignancy

    Sangbeen Nam, MD,1 Jun Young Park, MD,1 Dong Hee Park, MD,1 Kie Hwan Kim, MD,1 and Kyoung Sik Cho, MD2
      • 1Department of Radiology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
      • 2Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
    • Corresponding author: Sangbeen Nam, MD. Department of Radiology, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, 215-4 Gongneung-dong, Nowon-gu, Seoul 139-706, Korea. Tel. 82-2-970-1576, Fax. 82-2-970-2433, Email: mrbeen2336@gmail.com
    Received May 31, 2011; Accepted November 19, 2011.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    To describe the radiologic findings of primary tubal malignancy.

    Materials and Methods

    This study described the imaging findings of 27 patients with 28 cases of primary tubal malignancy. Of the 27 patients examined, 23 underwent CT, 3 underwent MRI and 4 underwent ultrasonography. Image findings were analyzed according to size, proportion of cyst, shape, and associated findings of tumor.

    Results

    The mean tumor diameter was 5.3 cm (range 2.0-13.1 cm). According to proportion of cyst within the tumor, each case was categorized in one of the four types: 10 cases (35.7%) of type I (≥ 75 of cystic portion), 2 cases (7.1%) of type II (50-75%), 3 cases (10.7%) of type III (25-50%) and 13 cases (46.4%) of type IV (≤ 25%). According to the shape of the tumor, 7 cases (25%) were round, 12 cases (42.9%) were lobular, and 9 cases (32.1%) were tubular. Moreover, septa were observed in 8 cases (28.6%), wall thickening was observed in 13 cases (46.4%), and hydrosalpinx was observed in 11 cases (39.3%).

    Conclusion

    The imaging findings of tubal cancer manifests from a solid to a cystic mass. It is a challenge to differentiate primary tubal cancer from ovarian cancer, but when it is associated with hydrosalpinx or the shape of the tumor is lobular or tubular, primary tubal cancer can be suggested as part of the differential diagnosis.

    Keywords
    Fallopian Tube; CT; Ultrasonography

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    A 49-year-old woman. CT shows a round and cystic mass in the right pelvic cavity (arrow). Histopathology revealed serous papillary adenocarcinoma of both fallopian tube, but the tumor of left fallopian was not detected.

    Fig. 2
    A 59-year-old woman who received total hysterectomy due to massive bleeding, 32 years ago. CT shows a lobulated, predominantly cystic mass in the left adnexa (arrow). Histopathology revealed serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the left fallopian tube.

    Fig. 3
    A 34-year-old woman. CT shows a lobulated, solid and cystic mass in the right adenexa (arrow). Histopathology revealed serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the right fallopian tube.

    Fig. 4
    A 48-year-old woman. CT shows a lobulated enhancing solid mass in the left adenexa (arrow). A small peripheral enhancing cystic mass is also noted in the right adnexa (arrowhead). Histopathology revealed serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the both fallopian tube.

    Fig. 5
    A 52-year-old woman. CT shows tubular cystic mass with small solid nodule in the left adenexa (arrow). Histopathology revealed serous papillary adenocarcinoma of the left fallopian tube. Fat-containing mature cystic teratoma was also observed (arrowhead).

    Fig. 6
    A 47-year-old woman.
    A. Transverse transabdominal sonogram of pelvis shows a hypoechoc solid mass.

    B, C. CT shows a lobulated right pelvic solid mass (arrows).

    Fig. 7
    A 54-year-old woman. Axial (A) and sagittal (B) T2-weighted MR images show a high signal intensity serpentine cystic mass posterior to the uterus. Irregular polyploid nodule (arrows) within the cyst. Histopathology revealed malignant mullerian mixed tumor of the left fallopian tube.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Imaging Finding and Pathologic Diagnosis in Twenty Seven Patients with Primary Tubal Malignancy

    References

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    MeSH Terms
    Diagnosis, Differential
    Fallopian Tubes
    Female
    Humans
    Ovarian Neoplasms
    Metrics
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