Fallopian Tube Cancer Screening & Diagnosis

older female patient talking to provider

Gynecologic cancer specialists at Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center have a wealth of experience in diagnosing and screening fallopian tube cancer.

Screening for Fallopian Tube Cancer

If you are at high risk for fallopian tube cancer or are showing signs of fallopian tube cancer, Penn Medicine gynecologic oncologists will examine your health history, which may include questions about your family’s cancer history. We then might recommend an internal pelvic examination. A cervical pap test (also called a pap smear) may also be done.

In addition, we might recommend the following tests:

  • CA-125 blood test: A blood test to determine if a tumor is present in your body.
  • Ultrasound exam: This uses sound waves to create a picture of what is happening in your body. When testing for fallopian tube cancer, ultrasounds can be done in two ways: externally and internally. An external ultrasound uses a small instrument placed over the belly, and an internal ultrasound (also called transvaginal sonography) uses a small instrument that is placed in the vagina.
  • Abdominal/Pelvic CT (computed tomography) scans: CT scans use X-rays to create cross-sectional pictures of your abdominal area. They are useful in showing the size of the tumor, if lymph nodes are swollen, and if the tumor has spread to other organs.
  • MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): An MRI uses radio waves and strong magnets to create cross-sectional pictures of your body.
  • PET (positron emission tomography): PET scans use a form of radioactive sugar (glucose) to look for cancer cells. This test is sometimes useful in finding fallopian tube cancer that has spread.
  • Chest X-ray: X-rays may be taken to see if cancer has spread to your lungs.

Fallopian Tube Cancer Diagnosis

If your screening test suggests fallopian tube cancer, we may recommend a biopsy. This is a small sample taken of the cancerous area. Cells from this sample are then viewed under a microscope to help determine what type of cancer it is and the best way to treat it.

If cancer is found in the fallopian tubes, additional tests may be done to see if it has spread to other parts of the body. This will also determine the cancer’s stage.

Stages of Fallopian Tube Cancer

Fallopian tube cancer is most often diagnosed at stages 3 and 4. This is because its early symptoms cannot be felt and are often difficult to detect.

The stages of fallopian tube cancer are

  • Stage 1: Cancer is found in one or both fallopian tubes.
  • Stage 2: Cancer is found in one or both fallopian tubes and has spread into other areas of the pelvis.
  • Stage 3: Cancer is found in one or both fallopian tubes and has spread outside the pelvis to other parts of the abdomen and/or to nearby lymph nodes.
  • Stage 4: Cancer has spread beyond the abdomen to other parts of the body.