Fallopian tubes & broad ligament
Fallopian tube epithelial tumors
High grade serous carcinoma
Author: Nat Pernick, M.D.
Last author update: 24 November 2019
Last staff update: 10 November 2023
Copyright: 2002-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Fallopian tube serous carcinoma[title]
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Gross description | Gross images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) imagesCite this page: Pernick N. High grade serous carcinoma. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/fallopiantubesserouscarcinoma.html. Accessed April 24th, 2024.
Definition / general
- High stage with pelvic extension or positive peritoneal cytology
- To call primary in fallopian tube, should arise from mucosa (endosalpinx), have tubal histologic pattern, involve the lumen, uterus and ovaries must be normal or have foci of malignancy that resemble metastases or independent primaries; if tubal wall is involved, should detect a transition between benign and malignant tubal epithelium
- 5 year survival: stage 1 - 77%, stage 3 - 20%; usually recur intra-abdominally
- Associated with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations; for patients with known mutation or family history of breast or ovarian cancer, should submit entire fallopian tube and ovary for microscopic examination (Am J Surg Pathol 2002;26:171, Am J Surg Pathol 2001;25:1283)
- 50% serous, 25% endometrioid, 20% transitional or undifferentiated
- Symptoms: vaginal bleeding or discharge (2/3), pain, adnexal mass (triad in 50%); endometrial smear positive in 10%
Gross description
- Enlarged tube, with solid or papillary tumor filling the lumen
- Tumors occasionally are primary in the fimbriae
- 80 - 97% unilateral; hemorrhage, necrosis and cysts common
Gross images
Contributed by AFIP and @BellassaiJb on Twitter
Diffusely enlarged
Papillary tumor attached to mucosa
Distended lumen
Solid nodule of tumor
High grade serous carcinoma
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Invasive papillary adenocarcinoma; may resemble ovarian serous adenocarcinoma with complex papillary architecture
Microscopic (histologic) images
Contributed by AFIP and @BellassaiJb on Twitter
Lumen filled with fine papillae
Desmoplastic stromal response
Undifferentiated component in tubal wall
High grade serous carcinoma
