Penn Medicine’s minimally invasive techniques, such as robotic-assisted surgery, have become the standard of care for treating gynecologic cancers. Our experienced surgical team cares for a high volume of fallopian tube cancer patients each year, offering a level of expertise and a variety of treatment approaches that may not be available at cancer centers that treat fewer patients.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Fallopian Cancer
Surgery for fallopian tube cancer can be performed at multiple phases of treatment. A minimally invasive surgery called a laparoscopy may be performed first to help determine if your entire tumor can be removed. If so, a more intensive surgery called a laparotomy may be performed to remove as much of the tumor as possible. This procedure is called debulking surgery.
Other Surgeries for Fallopian Tube Cancer
Treating fallopian tube cancer may also include the following surgeries:
- Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: A surgical procedure to remove one ovary and one fallopian tube.
- Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: A surgical procedure to remove both ovaries and both fallopian tubes.
- Omentectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the omentum (fatty tissue in the peritoneum).
- Hysterectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the uterus and occasionally the cervix. When only the uterus is removed, it is called a partial or supracervical hysterectomy. When both the uterus and cervix are removed, it is called a total hysterectomy.
- Lymph node biopsy: The removal of all or part of a lymph node. A pathologist then views the lymph node tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells.
Learn more about fallopian tube cancer treatment options at Penn Medicine