Molecular features for timely cancer diagnosis and treatment - tumors of the ovary, fallopian tube and endometrium.

Gynecologic pathology has moved, within only a few years, from being a diagnostic area devoid of molecular testing into a diagnostic discipline in which such analyses are becoming routine. The direct relevance of molecular characterization to the choice of treatment of patients with carcinomas originating in both the uterus and adnexae makes it likely that such testing will only expand along with our understanding of the molecular make-up of these tumors. As a consequence, gynecologic pathologists have become an integral part of patient management, rather than lab personnel providing external services.In parallel, molecular testing is expanding as a tool for diagnosing rare tumors affecting these organs, including soft tissue tumors, sex cord-stromal tumors and germ cell tumors, as well as other rare entities. Increased knowledge in this area bears directly on the ability to diagnose these tumors in a reproducible manner, as well as recognize and consult on genetic diseases. Hopefully, despite the inherent difficulty in studying rare cancers, it will also translate into new therapeutic options for the malignant ones among these rare cancers.

A retrospective study of Pipelle endometrial biopsy for ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers.

OBJECTIVES: Although the Pipelle endometrial biopsy is widely performed as a practical and minimally invasive test for endometrial disease(s), its effectiveness in ovarian cancer has not been explored. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the results of Pipelle endometrial biopsy for ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers. METHODS: A pre-treatment Pipelle-endometrial biopsy was performed in 90 patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, or peritoneal cancers between January 2014 and November 2021. We retrospectively analysed the association between the results of Pipelle endometrial biopsy and clinicopathological data. Moreover, we evaluated their impact on the following treatment in advanced cases initially treated with chemotherapy. RESULTS: The sensitivity and false-negative rates for Pipelle endometrial biopsy were 25/90 (27.8%) and 65/90 (72.2%) in all patients, respectively, and 23/56 (41.0%) and 33/56 (58.9%) in cases with advanced disease (stages III and IV), respectively. Pipelle-positive endometrial biopsy-positive (Pipelle-positive) was not observed in 29 patients with clinical stage I disease, and Pipelle-positive patients exhibited significantly more high-grade serous carcinomas, and positive peritoneal, endometrial, and cervical cytologies than Pipelle-endometrial biopsy-negative cases. Surgical pathology was confirmed in 23 Pipelle-positive patients, and 17/23 (74.0%) had the same diagnosis as that for Pipelle endometrial biopsy. Conversely, 6/23 (26.0%) patients exhibited a minor diagnostic discrepancy between Pipelle endometrial biopsy and surgical pathology. Nineteen of the 38 (50.0%) patients initially treated with chemotherapy were identified as Pipelle-positive, contributing to a prompt histological diagnosis and pre-treatment tumour sampling. Companion diagnostic tests were performed using Pipelle endometrial biopsy samples from 4 inoperable patients. CONCLUSION: Although the positive rate of Pipelle endometrial biopsy in ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers is low, Pipelle endometrial biopsy may enable prompt histological diagnosis and initiation of chemotherapy while collecting tumour tissue for genetic testing in some cases with advanced disease.

The effectiveness of pre-treatment Pipelle endometrial biopsy for ovarian, fallopian tube, and peritoneal cancers remains unclear. This study demonstrated that Pipelle endometrial biopsy may enable prompt histological diagnosis and initiation of chemotherapy while collecting tumour tissue for genetic testing in some cases with advanced disease. This was a single-centre, retrospective study; as such, the effectiveness of Pipelle endometrial biopsy should be evaluated in larger prospective studies, including comparisons with other tumour sampling methods.

Early-stage serous fallopian tube carcinoma.

Primary fallopian tube carcinoma (PFTC) is a rare disease. Its location, close association with epithelial ovarian carcinoma, and lack of specific signs and symptoms make diagnosis challenging especially in its early stages. We report a postmenopausal patient who presented with a 2-month history of abdominopelvic pain with watery vaginal discharge. Imaging findings showed a 7 cm complex left adnexal mass. The patient underwent a robotic-assisted total laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and surgical staging. Findings were significant for stage IA serous fallopian tube carcinoma. PFTC is sometimes missed preoperatively and intraoperatively. Available literature review has focused on the clinical and imaging characteristics of PFTC to aid in timely disease diagnosis. Minimally invasive surgery is a viable option in the diagnosis and management of early-stage ovarian cancer due to improved visualisation of pelvic structures, decreased length of hospital stay, decreased estimated blood loss and lower postoperative complication rates compared with laparotomy.

Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer triggered by occult fallopian tube cancer: a case report.

BACKGROUND: At the time of benign gynecological surgery, a prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy or salpingectomy is increasingly being performed concurrently to reduce the risk of future ovarian and fallopian tube cancer. We herein describe a case of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome in which a hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy were performed with a preoperative diagnosis of benign tumor. A detailed pathological examination revealed occult fallopian tube cancer, and additional staging surgery provided an accurate pathology diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 72-year-old Japanese woman with a past history of breast cancer underwent a hysterectomy and bilateral oophoro-salpingectomy for the preoperative diagnosis of uterine myoma and a right para-ovarian cyst. In the detailed pathological examination, high-grade serous carcinoma of the right fallopian tube was detected incidentally, and a subsequent staging laparotomy confirmed single para-aortic lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, a mutation in germline BRCA2 was detected postoperatively, and the patient was finally diagnosed with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome. She was diagnosed with fallopian tube cancer International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage IIIA1(i) and started on adjuvant therapy (six courses of paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by maintenance therapy with olaparib), and 18 months after surgery, she was free of disease. CONCLUSION: This is a case of fallopian tube cancer that was diagnosed incidentally and then accurately staged with additional advanced staging surgery. Even in the absence of grossly malignant findings, a detailed pathological search of the fallopian tubes and accurate staging surgery are important to make the necessary treatment decisions for the patient.

Mature Cystic Teratoma at Fallopian Tubes: A Case Series.

Benign tumors of the fallopian tube are uncommon. Teratomas are most frequently found in the ovary and fallopian tube teratoma is extremely rare. To date, around 70 cases have been described, and most of them were discovered by chance. Here we present two cases of fallopian tube dermoid cyst. The first case is of a woman who was unable to conceive for 4 years with a right ovarian dermoid. She was managed with laparoscopic cystectomy when she was found to have a small teratoma-like lesion at the fimbrial end of the left fallopian tube. The second case is of a female who underwent elective caesarian section and was found to have a teratoma-like lesion at the right fallopian tube. Histopathology of both cases were reported as mature cystic teratoma. These cases suggest the need for careful examination of the pelvic organs for other pathology apart from the primary surgical sites. Keywords: case reports; dermoid cyst; fallopian tube; infertility.

The Utility of Fallopian Tube Cytology in the Early Detection of Extrauterine Serous Gynecological Malignancies: A Narrative Literature Review.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to analyze the published evidence for the use of fallopian tube brush cytology for the early detection of extrauterine serous gynecological cancer. METHODS: We systematically searched the literature and, additionally, cross-checked on the bibliographies of selected articles. The inclusion criteria involved studies assessing the utility of fallopian tube brush cytology and its applications in the diagnosis, screening, or follow-up of extrauterine serous gynecological cancer. RESULTS: The search strategy resulted in 21 abstracts or full-text articles, 5 of which met the inclusion criteria. The year of publication ranged from 2016 to 2022, and a total of 193 fallopian tube samples were investigated. Cytobrush, Tubebrush©, and Cytuity™ were used to obtain salpingeal samples for liquid-based cytology evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that, at present, there is a lack of satisfying evidence-based data in the literature which would support the implementation of fallopian tube brush cytology as an adjunctive tool for early detection of extrauterine serous gynecological cancer. Thus, we believe that there is need for well-designed clinical studies to assess the effectiveness and diagnostic accuracy of the method as well as to validate the cytological criteria for the diagnosis and prediction of gynecological malignancies.

CLINICAL CASE OF FALLOPIAN TUBE CANCER IN PATIENT OF POSTMENOPAUSAL AGE.

Fallopian tube cancer (FTC) is an extremely rare case in oncogynecological practice with an incidence of 0,14-1,8 % among all malignant diseases of the female genital organs. The lack of specific symptoms, imitation of other malignant gynecological diseases, significant similarity with endometrial and ovarian cancer make FTC a disease that is difficult to diagnose. At the preoperative stage, FTC can be detected in 0 to 21% of cases. We present a clinical case of FTC at an early stage in a 64-year-old woman. The patient was referred to the gynecological department of the hospital because of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and pain in the lower abdomen, which had been bothering her for the last 2 months. During the gynecological examination, a tumor-like mass up to 5 cm in diameter was palpated on the left side, with a dense consistency, sensitive to palpation, and limited mobility. Transvaginal ultrasound, CT, oncological markers were made. 7 days later, after performing hysteroresectoscopy with polypectomy, the patient underwent Pfannenstil laparotomy, total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and omentectomy, drainage of the abdominal cavity. Morphological result: in the wall of the left fallopian tube, the growth of adenocarcinoma, pT1a, G2 with foci of necrosis and invasion into the muscular layer of the wall of the fallopian tube is determined. Perineural and lymphovascular invasion in the studied material is not determined. This case of FTC in a postmenopausal woman confirms that it is difficult to detect malignant tumors of tubal localization at the preoperative stage.

Consensus based recommendations for the diagnosis of serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma: an international Delphi study.

AIM: Reliably diagnosing or safely excluding serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), a precursor lesion of tubo-ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), is crucial for individual patient care, for better understanding the oncogenesis of HGSC, and for safely investigating novel strategies to prevent tubo-ovarian carcinoma. To optimize STIC diagnosis and increase its reproducibility, we set up a three-round Delphi study. METHODS AND RESULTS: In round 1, an international expert panel of 34 gynecologic pathologists, from 11 countries, was assembled to provide input regarding STIC diagnosis, which was used to develop a set of statements. In round 2, the panel rated their level of agreement with those statements on a 9-point Likert scale. In round 3, statements without previous consensus were rated again by the panel while anonymously disclosing the responses of the other panel members. Finally, each expert was asked to approve or disapprove the complete set of consensus statements. The panel indicated their level of agreement with 64 statements. A total of 27 statements (42%) reached consensus after three rounds. These statements reflect the entire diagnostic work-up for pathologists, regarding processing and macroscopy (three statements); microscopy (eight statements); immunohistochemistry (nine statements); interpretation and reporting (four statements); and miscellaneous (three statements). The final set of consensus statements was approved by 85%. CONCLUSION: This study provides an overview of current clinical practice regarding STIC diagnosis amongst expert gynecopathologists. The experts' consensus statements form the basis for a set of recommendations, which may help towards more consistent STIC diagnosis.

Rare Primary Fallopian Tube Grade 2 Neuroendocrine Tumor: A Case Report With Review of Literature.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms commonly arise from the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. Less commonly, they may occur in the gynecologic tract, typically within the ovary of a mature cystic teratoma. Primary neuroendocrine neoplasms of the fallopian tube are exceptionally rare and only a total of 11 cases have been reported in the literature. We describe the first case to our knowledge of a primary grade 2 neuroendocrine tumor of the fallopian tube in a 47-yr-old female. In this report, we describe the case's unique presentation, review the published literature on primary neuroendocrine neoplasms of the fallopian tube, discuss the treatment options, and speculate on their origin and histogenesis.

Extra-abdominal Lymph Node Metastases as the First Presentation in Ovarian and Fallopian Tube Carcinomas.

Revision of ovarian and fallopian tube cancer presentation as extra-abdominal lymph nodes to understand the diagnostic challenges and prognostic features of these situations. Literature review in PubMed and Cochrane databases using the terms "ovarian cancer," "fallopian tube cancer," "extrapelvic lymph nodes," extra-abdominal lymph nodes," "distant lymph nodes," "initial presentation," "metastases," and "unusual presentation of ovarian cancer/unusual presentation of fallopian tube cancer" isolated and in conjunction. Articles in English were analyzed regarding revision's purpose, inclusion, and exclusion criteria and 65 were included in the final document. Statistical data was obtained with Microsoft Excel software analysis. Distant manifestations of ovarian cancer may occur through the lymphatic system and, less frequently, through hematogenous spread. These forms of spread may exist with almost no symptoms related to the primary cancer location and can justify distant disease at the initial presentation. Extra-abdominal lymph node involvement poses a clinical challenge for oncologists and oncologic gynecologists because it may occur with no or mild symptoms, and even in situations where no macroscopic disease is seen in the pelvic cavity. Histology and immunohistochemistry analyses together with a high level of suspicion are paramount to help in the diagnostic workup decisions and in finding a correct diagnosis when an extra-abdominal lymph node is the first manifested sign. Given its rarity and scarcity of information dispersed in a few case reports and small case series, further investigation is needed to understand the particularities of these tumors and their prognostic relevance.

Primary fallopian tube endometroid carcinoma: A rare case report.

ABSTRACT: Primary fallopian tube carcinoma is an extremely rare tumor accounting for only 0.14-1.8% of genital tract cancers. A 47-year-old female presented with post-menopausal bleeding and heaviness in the lower abdomen. Imaging revealed the right adnexal mass, suggestive of neoplastic origin. She was prepared for surgery. Per-operatively, there was a solid irregular mass, firm to hard in consistency, around 8 × 5 cm involving the whole of the right fallopian tube, and the right ovary appeared normal. Histopathological examination of the specimen showed endometroid adenocarcinoma of the right fallopian tube. Endometroid carcinoma is important to recognize because it carries the best prognosis of all the fallopian tube cancers. The patient underwent surgery, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy, and was doing well in follow-up.

Lymphadenectomy in Primary Fallopian Tube Cancer is Associated with Improved Survival.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Primary fallopian tube cancer (PFTC) shares the same diagnostic and management guidelines with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The LION trail raised concerns regarding the role of systematic pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy during debulking surgery. We aimed to evaluate the significance of lymphadenectomy in PFTC survival. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical features and survival of patients with PFTC who underwent primary surgery in our center between January 2013 and October 2020. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients diagnosed with PFTC were included in the study. Twenty-five (41.0%, 25/61) were diagnosed with FIGO (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics) stages I/II and 36 (59.0%, 36/61) were diagnosed with stage III/IV. Twenty-nine (47.5%, 29/61) underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy with or without para-aortic lymphadenectomy, among which 12 (41.4%, 12/29) had lymph node metastasis confirmed by postoperative pathology. The mean progression-free survival was 60.4 months in the lymphadenectomy group and 37.8 months in the no-lymphadenectomy group (p = 0.042, HR 0.374, 95% CI 0.145-0.966). CONCLUSIONS: PFTC is often diagnosed earlier and has a better prognosis than EOC. Most patients with PFTC would benefit from lymphadenectomy. However, the extent to which this association translates to a more diverse population needs to be further identified.

Fallopian tube tumour presenting as supraclavicular lymph node metastasis.

A 72-year-old woman noted a lump in her left supraclavicular fossa with no other symptoms or other signs on physical exam. A cervical biopsy indicated metastatic carcinoma. On the diagnostic workup: thoracic-abdominal-pelvic CT revealed augmented lymph nodes (LNs) in the retroperitoneum; Positron Emission Tomography-CT showed uptake in the LNs described and in two small areas in the pelvis; blood tests showed elevated CA125 and CA72.4. Another biopsy, considering a para-aortic LN, proved to be metastasis of a high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). Gynaecological exam and pelvic imaging were innocent. Diagnostic laparoscopy, including hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy, was performed and anatomopathological examination confirmed a HGSC in the fallopian tube (FT), in a tiny focus of 1.5 mm. The patient continued treatment with adjuvant chemotherapy. Literature review indicates that supraclavicular LN as first manifestation of FT carcinoma is not usual, and widespread lymphadenopathies with no macroscopic pelvic disease at diagnosis are even rarer.

Adenomatoid Tumor of Fallopian Tube With "Deciduoid" Morphology and Atypical Nuclear Features.

Adenomatoid tumor is a benign neoplasm of mesothelial origin. Adenomatoid tumor in female genital tract shows typical morphologic features with bland nuclei. Deciduoid morphology has not been reported in adenomatoid tumor. Tumors with deciduoid cells and atypical nuclear features may pose a diagnostic challenge and raise the suspicion of malignancy. We present a case of fallopian tube adenomatoid tumor with deciduoid morphology and atypical nuclear features in a 39-year-old woman with prolonged progestin therapy. We hypothesize that the unusual morphological changes in adenomatoid tumor, like deciduoid morphology and nuclear atypia, may be secondary to hormone effects.

Ovarian Mesonephric-like Adenocarcinoma With Multifocal Microscopic Involvement of the Fimbrial Surface: Potential for Misdiagnosis of Tubal Intraepithelial Metastasis as Serous Tubal Intraepithelial Carcinoma Associated With Ovarian High-grade Serous Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: We describe a rare case of ovarian mesonephric-like adenocarcinoma (MLA) involving the fimbria and mimicking serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC). CASE REPORT: A 47-year-old woman presented with a 4.4-cm left ovarian mass. Histologically, the ovarian tumor showed papillary and solid architecture, severe nuclear pleomorphism, and increased mitotic activity. Some microscopic foci where the tumor cells spread horizontally along the fimbrial surface epithelium were noted, compatible with STIC. We initially considered the ovarian tumor to be high-grade serous carcinoma accompanied by a fimbrial STIC. However, immunostaining revealed nuclear immunoreactivity for paired box 2 and GATA-binding protein 3, but lacked expression of Wilms tumor 1. A thorough slide review and additional immunostaining revealed architectural diversity, densely eosinophilic intraluminal secretions, and lack of hormone receptor expression, supporting the diagnosis of MLA. CONCLUSION: Microscopic intraepithelial metastases of the MLA to the fimbria mimic STIC. We recommend ancillary tests, such as immunostaining, in patients with ovarian tumors whenever possible, particularly for those with differential diagnosis of MLA and high-grade serous carcinoma.

Immunohistochemical Expression Status of p53, CD44v9, and Ki-67 in a Series of Fallopian Tube Lesions of High-grade Serous Carcinoma.

Pelvic high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) has been postulated to arise via a stepwise accumulation of (epi)genetic alterations from normal epithelium to secretory cell outgrowth (SCOUT), p53 signature, and serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) to invasive HGSC. The aim of this study is to investigate alterations in p53 and CD44v9 expression and the status of Ki-67 labeling index in a series of fallopian tube lesions of HGSC patients. A total of 45 specimens were analyzed in 16 patients with HGSC, and their lesions were categorized as follows: morphologically normal fallopian tube epithelium (FTE, n=6 samples), SCOUT (n=5), p53 signature (n=4), dormant STIC (n=8), active STIC (n=6), and HGSC (n=16). Morphologic features and immunohistochemical expression patterns of the p53 protein, CD44v9 protein, and Ki-67 antigen were blindly evaluated by 2 pathologists. Increased nuclear p53 protein accumulation was observed in p53 signature, dormant STIC, active STIC and HGSC compared with normal FTE and SCOUT (P<0.001). Immunohistochemistry scores of CD44v9 protein expression were significantly higher in normal FTE, SCOUT, and p53 signature than in dormant STIC, active STIC, and HGSC (P<0.001). Both active STIC and HGSC had significantly higher Ki-67 labeling indices than normal FTE, SCOUT, p53 signature and dormant STIC (P<0.001). CD44v9 loss contributes to the stepwise progression of p53 signature to dormant STIC. In conclusion, p53 mutation followed by CD44v9 loss may be involved in the evolution of STIC, which may confer positive clonal selection with a growth and survival advantage.

Consolidation or maintenance systemic therapy for newly diagnosed stage II, III, or IV epithelial ovary, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma: A systematic review.

BACKGROUNDS: To systematically review the effectiveness and harm of consolidation or maintenance therapy in patients with newly diagnosed stage II-IV EOC. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and PROSPERO databases, and four relevant conferences were systematically searched. We adhered to PRISMA guidelines, and used the GRADE approach to aggregate data. RESULTS: Among 12,675 citations, 28 comprising 16,310 patients were analyzed. The certainty of aggregated study evidence ranged from high to low. CONCLUSIONS: The existing evidence does not find overall survival benefit for consolidation therapy with chemotherapy. For maintenance therapy, comparing with placebo, olaparib, niraparib, veliparib, and bevacizumab are effective as maintenance therapy for certain patients with newly diagnosed stage III-IV epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal carcinoma respectively without reducing quality of life. Longer follow-up with more mature results of overall survival will better define the effect of these agents.