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Diagnosis of primary adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube.

Primary carcinoma of the fallopian tube is rare, but still occurs frequently enough to warrant consideration when certain specific symptoms are present. It is also possible to diagnose the tumor correctly if, in the presence of certain symptoms, the following diagnostic tools are used in addition to repeated Pap smears and dilatation and curettage: hysteroscopy, cervical biopsy, colposcopy, laparoscopy, laparotomy, and pathological examination of every tubal specimen.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Attachment to and invasion of human fallopian tube mucosa by an IgA1 protease-deficient mutant of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and its wild-type parent.

In an investigation of the possible role of IgA1 protease in the initial encounter of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with human genital mucosa, the pathogenicity of an isogenic, piliated, wild-type gonococcal clone was compared with that of its IgA1 protease-deficient mutant in organ cultures of human fallopian tubes. The fallopian tube mucosa released IgA into the organ culture medium throughout the course of the infection; the rate of release was substantially higher in gonococcus-infected organ cultures. The wild-type gonococcus but not the IgA1 protease-deficient mutant elaborated IgA1 protease into the medium. The rate and extent of attachment, damage, and invasion of the fallopian tube mucosa by the IgA1 protease-deficient mutant were indistinguishable from those by the parental clone. These data are compatible with the hypothesis that, in the initial encounter with previously uninfected human genital mucosa, the production of IgA1 protease is not critical to the ability of the gonococcus to act as a mucosal pathogen.

Adhesiveness↗

Have the Fallopian tubes a vital rôle in promoting fertility?

Diverse lines of evidence suggest that the Fallopian tubes make no overwhelming contribution to human reproduction other than as a conduit for gametes and embryos. Even so, bearing in mind global success rates for in vitro fertilization (IVF) coupled with uterine transplantation of embryos (20% fruitful pregnancies), the Fallopian tubes may make a subtle contribution to reproductive performance. The experimental evidence from monkeys and man arguing against an essential rôle for the tubes -- at least in individual instances -- would include (1) the results of Estes' operation, when ovaries are autotransplanted into the uterine lumen in women with blocked or missing Fallopian tubes and pregnancy ensues; (2) asynchronous embryo transfer when newly fertilized (pronucleate) eggs transplanted to the uterus can generate a pregnancy; (3) the transcervical transfer after IVF of early cleavage stage human embryos into the uterus, with subsequent establishment of pregnancy; (4) the trans-cervical transfer of human spermatozoa and oocytes into the uterus to give pregnancy, indicating that capacitation, fertilization and the earliest stages of embryonic development can be achieved in the uterus. In endeavoring to explain contrasts between these successful procedures in primates and their failure in non-primates, perhaps the simplex uterus in primates compared with a bicornuate or bipartite uterus in laboratory and farm species has relevance: there is lack of a clear-cut distinction between the endometrium and endosalpinx in the intra-mural segment and potential mixing of uterine and tubal fluids. Indeed, the latter may explain in part a susceptibility to tubal ectopic pregnancy, coupled with proliferating endometrial fragments in the Fallopian tube.

Animals↗

Fallopian tube adenocarcinoma: common extraperitoneal recurrence.

Fallopian tube adenocarcinoma is a rare gynecologic tumor that spreads like epithelial ovarian carcinoma. From 1954 to 1982, thirty patients with tubal adenocarcinomas were treated at UCLA and by the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. The mean age was 52 years. Pain, irregular or postmenopausal bleeding, and vaginal discharge were the most common presenting symptoms. Twenty-two had undergone previous pelvic or abdominal surgery. A pelvic mass was the most common physical finding, while Pap smears, IVP, and BE were rarely helpful in making the diagnosis or planning treatment. All of the patients in this report underwent primary therapeutic surgery. Nineteen patients received radiation and fourteen, systemic chemotherapy. Surgical stage was prognostic for survival. Fourteen patients with Stage I and II disease are NED (4 at 2 years; 10 at 5 years). No patients with Stage III or IV disease survived 5 years. Recurrences were noted as late as 6 years after primary therapy and 10 of 14 recurrent sites were extraperitoneal.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Combination chemotherapy in advanced adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube.

Advanced adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube has a poor prognosis, with 5-year survival rates commonly less than 20%. Since 1980, we have managed 12 patients with disseminated tumor with combination chemotherapy following surgical cytoreduction. Analogous to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging of ovarian carcinoma, 3 patients were classified in Stage II, 8 in Stage III, and 1 in Stage IV. Ten patients received cisplatin-containing regimens. The 3 Stage II patients, without measurable disease after primary surgery, had an indeterminate response to chemotherapy. In Stages III-IV there were 4 complete responses (3 confirmed by second-look laparotomy) and 2 partial responses, for an overall response rate of 67%. Disease progressed in 2 patients and was stable in 1 patient. After median follow-up of 3.5 years, 4 of the Stage III-IV patients have no evidence of disease, 1 is alive with disease, and 4 are dead.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Expression of IgA and secretory component in the normal and in adenocarcinomas of Fallopian tube, endometrium and endocervix.

The occurrence and localization of IgA and secretory components (SC) were examined in the normal and in adenocarcinomas of Fallopian tube, endometrium and endocervix. IgA-containing immunocytes were identified in the stroma of 90% of normal Fallopian tubes. It is suggested that the Fallopian tube may have an immunological function and may, together with the endocervix, constitute the local secretory immune system of the female genital tract. IgA and SC were frequently demonstrated in the cytoplasm and luminal secretion of adenocarcinomas of the endocervix, endometrium and Fallopian tube. This study has shown a decrease in immunoreactivity of SC among poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas but has failed to demonstrate any correlation between the expression of IgA and the degree of differentiation of the tumours. Secretory component appears, therefore, to be more useful than IgA as an indicator of secretory activity and differentiation of adenocarcinomas of the female genital tract.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Glycogen distribution in porcine fallopian tube epithelium during the estrus cycle.

Histochemical features of two different parts of the porcine Fallopian tube have been studied, with special reference to cyclic changes in the distribution of glycogen particles. Porcine Fallopian tubes were obtained from a local slaughterhouse. Slides were studied under light microscopy utilising histological and histochemical techniques. The most striking feature during the periovulatory stage of the estrus cycle was the occurrence of glycogen granules in the apical cytoplasm of epithelial cells in both the ampulla and isthmus of the Fallopian tubes. In the isthmus, cells containing numerous granules of polysaccharides aggregated into areas of different sizes were noted after ovulation. During the midluteal phase their number was minimal or were even absent. In the ampula typical extrusion of secretory granules and nuclei protruding into the tubal lumen was visible after ovulation. In the luteal phase a lot of nuclei protruded into the tubal lumen and some free in the lumen were noted. It is possible that glycogen in the preovulatory stage functions as a source of energy for ciliary movement and as a nourishment for the ovum. In the isthmus large number of aggregated glycogen particles was observed also after ovulation. In this stage of the cycle, numerous granules of polysaccharide aggregated in isthmus epithelium could be the major energy source for embriogenesis when the embryo travels down the Fallopian tubes, during the early cleavage stage.

Animals↗

Localization of endothelin receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in the rat ovary and fallopian tube by in situ hybridization.

Rat mRNAs encoding two subtypes of the endothelin (ET) receptor (ET(A) and ETB) were studied in the rat ovary and fallopian tube by means of Northern blotting and in situ hybridization. The mRNA transcripts for the endothelin-1-specific type receptor (ET(A)) in pooled RNA from the ovary and fallopian tube were 4.2 and 5.2 kilonucleotides, and that for the nonselective type receptor (ETB) was 4.7 kilonucleotides; these were similar to transcripts for endothelin receptors from other tissues. ET(A) mRNA expression was abundant in the muscle cell layer of the fallopian tube, but low in the ovary. On the other hand, ETB mRNA was abundant in the granulosa cells in the developing follicles, but low in atretic follicles and absent in the fallopian tube. These results demonstrated that the mRNAs for the two subtypes of the rat endothelin receptor have different expression profiles in the ovary and fallopian tube. ETs may mainly affect the granulosa cells in the dominant follicles as well as the muscle cells of the fallopian tube through ETB and ET(A), respectively.

Animals↗

Clues to the pathogenesis of fallopian tube carcinoma: a morphological and immunohistochemical case control study.

The purpose of this study was to identify histopathological fallopian tube changes that might be related to the development of fallopian tube carcinoma (FTCA). Each of 14 unilateral cases of the latter was matched with 2 controls for age, hospital, and year of diagnosis. The uninvolved fallopian tube from patients with FTCA, all of which were of serous type, was compared to fallopian tubes from the same side in 28 matched controls. The features evaluated included plical bridging, trapped gland-like structures, inflammation, epithelial stratification, tufting, nuclear atypia, plical atrophy, luminal dilatation, and presence or absence of in situ carcinoma. The significant changes (p < 0.05) in the contralateral tubes of patients with FTCA were luminal dilatation (p = 0.0004), plical atrophy (p = 0.0015), and chronic inflammation (p = 0.0089). FTCA may therefore develop in tubes demonstrating histologic features of chronic healed salpingitis, findings that reflect bilateral tubal disease which apparently antedates the development of the FTCA. p53 stains were strongly positive in 9 of 14 FTCAs and in 5 of 6 foci of in situ carcinoma found in the tubes with unilateral FTCA. No p53 staining was found in any of the contralateral tubes. Serous FTCAs may be etiologically related to antecedent bilateral healed chronic salpingitis and arise from in situ carcinoma in a background of atrophy.

Aged↗

Leiomyomas of the fallopian tube. A case report.

Both heterotopic pregnancies and primary neoplasms of the fallopian tube are rare occurrences. A patient presented with early pregnancy, abdominal pain and ultrasound findings of an intrauterine gestation and a fallopian tube mass. Laparotomy revealed a primary leiomyoma of the fallopian tube.

Abdominal Pain↗

Differential impact on pregnancy rate of selective salpingography, tubal catheterization and wire-guide recanalization in the treatment of proximal fallopian tube obstruction.

A total of 66 patients with proximal Fallopian tube (113 tubes) obstruction, as diagnosed by both laparoscopy and hysterosalpingogram, were each subjected to a transcervical recanalization procedure sequentially using selective salpingography followed, if necessary, by tubal catheterization with a soft Teflon 2-French catheter and finally, if needed, wire-guide cannulation. Each procedure were terminated once patency had been achieved without recourse to the next technique. Bilateral obstruction was present in 47 patients and unilateral in 19 patients. Patency was achieved in 39 (34.5%) Fallopian tubes by selective salpingography alone, in 52 (46.0%) by tubal catheterization and in 10 (8.9%) by wire guide, with 12 (10.6%) tubes remaining obstructed. Pregnancy occurred in 24 (36.4%) patients without recourse to other treatment (mean follow-up, 17 months). Where patency was achieved (59 patients), 19 out of 43 (44.1%) of those treated for bilateral obstruction and five out of 16 (31.3%) of those treated for unilateral obstruction achieved a pregnancy. Pregnancy occurred in six out of 22 patients (27.3%) where selective salpingography was used to produce tubal patency, in 17 out of 30 patients (56.7%) where tubal catheterization was used and in one out of seven (14.3%) where a wire guide was used, which was an ectopic pregnancy. The difference between the ongoing pregnancy rates following tubal catheterization (50.0%) and wire-guide cannulation (0.0%) was significant (P = 0.033). While wire-guide cannulation is the most effective method used to achieve tubal patency, these results indicate that when it is truly necessary, as opposed to electively used by clinicians, the prognosis with regard to pregnancy is poor and alternative therapy such as microsurgery or in-vitro fertilization should be considered early.

Adult↗

Transvaginal fallopian tube catheterization in an animal model.

A rabbit model for testing the safety and effectiveness of diagnostic and interventional techniques of fallopian tube catheterization is presented. Hysterography with injection into the terminal portion of the uterine horn visualized the fallopian tube in only 6% of cases; however, this increased from 33% to 50% by pretreatment with progesterone, administration of glucagon or phentolamine, or increased pressure of injection with balloon obstruction of the uterine horn. Salpingography with a catheter introduced in the tubal ostium or directly inside the tube was most effective and resulted in a consistent (100%) visualization of the fallopian tube. The technique also allowed coaxial introduction of small diameter guidewires and catheters deep into the fallopian tube.

Animals↗

[Primary fallopian tube carcinoma. Report of a single case with review of the literature].

With an incidence of 0.1-1.0% of all genital malignancies, primary fallopian tube carcinoma is an extremely uncommon neoplasm of the female genital tract. We report a 58-year-old postmenopausal woman with primary fallopian tube carcinoma confined to the right fallopian tube in primary stage pT2a pN0 G3 M0, who is alive without evidence of disease 2 years after abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral adnexectomy, omentectomy and lymphonodectomy followed by an adjuvant cisplatin (70 mg/m2) and treosulfan (5 g/m2) chemotherapy. An accompanying literature review indicates that clinical signs and symptoms of fallopian tube neoplasms are usually nonspecific and include lower abdominal pain. The primary treatment remains surgical resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation. Prognosis is poor, although long-term survivors have been reported.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols↗

The effect of human fallopian tube epithelium on human sperm velocity motility and binding.

PURPOSE: A prospective, controlled in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the effects of human fallopian tube epithelium on the motility, velocity, and binding of human spermatozoa. METHODS: Eleven fallopian tubes from six women undergoing hysterectomy and semen samples from 14 male partners of women undergoing in vitro fertilization were collected. Human spermatozoa were cultured with monolayer of human fallopian tube epithelial cells. The motility and velocity were analyzed subsequently at 0, 2, 6, 24, and 48 hr of incubation. The sperm binding capacity was analyzed after 48 hr in the hemizona assay (HZA). RESULTS: The presence of the human fallopian tube epithelial cells did not have any beneficial effects on sperm motility and velocity. On the other hand, significant promoting effect was observed in the ability of the sperm to bind to the zona pellucida. CONCLUSIONS: The interaction of human spermatozoa with fallopian tube epithelial cells significantly increases sperm binding in the HZA.

Epithelial Cells↗

Preoperative diagnosis of primary fallopian tube carcinoma by magnetic resonance imaging: a case report.

Because of the rarity and insidious onset of primary adenocarcinoma of the fallopian tube, early diagnosis is very difficult. Primary fallopian tube carcinoma is also rarely diagnosed preoperatively. This report reviews the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in aiding the detection of early-stage primary fallopian tube carcinoma in a 48-year-old female. The diagnosis was based on clinical suspicion, elevated CA-125 and MRI. MRI demonstrated the tumor as an area of solid masses with marked enhancement after gadolinium-diethylenetetraaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) administration. Primary fallopian tube carcinoma was confirmed by pathologic examination. We hope that, with improvements in imaging, early diagnosis of such a malignant disease could become routinely possible in the future.

Fallopian Tube Neoplasms↗

Effect of attachment factors (pili plus Opa) on Neisseria gonorrhoeae invasion of human fallopian tube tissue in vitro: quantitation by computerized image analysis.

Pili (P) and opacity-associated proteins (Opa) facilitate Neisseria gonorrhoeae attachment to human fallopian tube epithelium. Subsequent effects on invasion are unproven. Computerized image analysis was used to study the effects of attachment factors on invasion by comparing a P+Opa+ variant to a P-Opa- variant of strain R10 in the fallopian tube organ culture model. Gonococci in sections of infected fallopian tube tissue were identified with FITC-labelled monoclonal anti-gonococcal antibodies. Nomarski DIC microscopy was used to establish anatomic boundaries that excluded extracellular gonococci from invasion measurements. The area of intracellular fluorescence served as an index of gonococcal invasion. With conservative criteria to exclude extracellular gonococci, the per cent of the intracellular area occupied by fluorescent P+Opa+ gonococci was 18% compared to 4.7% for the P-Opa- variant (P < 0.001). Data suggest that P+Opa+ organisms invaded deeper than P-Opa- microbes over the same time period (P = 0.029). Intra-observer variation in invasion measurements was not significant (P > or = 0.85), and inter-observer correlation was high (correlation coefficient = 0.96). Computerized image analysis is a rapid, reliable means of quantifying gonococcal invasion of fallopian tube epithelium. We conclude that gonococcal attachment factors can facilitate events which enhance gonococcal invasion of fallopian tube epithelium.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Flow cytometric analysis of leukocytes in the human female reproductive tract: comparison of fallopian tube, uterus, cervix, and vagina.

PROBLEM: The tissues of the human female reproductive tract (Fallopian tube, uterus, cervix, and vagina) may play different roles in the provision of mucosal immunity. The purpose of this study was to develop a uniform method suitable for quantitative comparison of the leukocytes from all these tissues. METHOD OF STUDY: Tissues, typically 0.5-1.0 g, were dispersed by enzyme treatment. A flow cytometric gating procedure based on CD45-positivity and low far-red autofluorescence permitted unfractionated, freshly dispersed cells to be phenotyped with respect to T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, macrophages, and granulocytes. RESULTS: Reproductive tract tissues contain leukocytes that represent approximately 6-20% of the total number of cells, with the Fallopian tubes and uterus containing a higher proportion of leukocytes than the cervix and vagina. The uterine endometrium from post-menopausal women has fewer leukocytes than does uterine endometrium from pre-menopausal women. T lymphocytes are a major constituent (30-60%) of leukocytes from all tissues. The Fallopian tube contains granulocytes as another major constituent; granulocytes are significantly less numerous in the other tissues. All tissues contain B lymphocytes and macrophages as clearly detectable but minor components. CONCLUSIONS: Three-color flow cytometry is an appropriate method for quantitative comparison of leukocytes from the different tissues of the female reproductive tract, during all phases of the menstrual cycle and within post-menopausal samples. Results indicate that the tissues differ from each other, particularly with respect to the large number of granulocytes in the Fallopian tubes.

Adult↗