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CASE REPORT
Medical diligence uncovers fallopian tube cancer after abnormal Pap test
  1. Cara Buskmiller1,
  2. Brittany Cline2 and
  3. Francisco Xynos1
  1. 1 Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women’s Health, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
  2. 2 School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St Louis, Missouri, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Francisco Xynos, francisco.xynos{at}health.slu.edu

Abstract

The fallopian tube has received attention as an origin of high-grade pelvic malignancies. This is a case of bilateral fallopian tube cancer discovered after an abnormal Pap test. A 62-year-old woman with a history of one term delivery had atypical glandular cells on a Pap test. She had an unsatisfactory colposcopy and a normal transvaginal ultrasound. A loop electrode excision procedure and hysteroscopy with dilation and curettage revealed atypical glandular cells concentrated in floating balls. CA-125 was 10 U/mL. A robotic hysterectomy revealed histopathological stage IIIA serous carcinoma arising from both fallopian tubes. She received six cycles of carboplatin and paclitaxel. After chemotherapy, she has no evidence of disease at 5 years. Fallopian tube carcinoma is a differential diagnosis of abnormal glandular cells on a Pap test. Diagnosis by systematic pursuit of abnormal tests can lead to successful treatment of a small disease burden.

  • screening (oncology)
  • cervical screening
  • obstetrics and gynaecology
  • cancer intervention
  • gynaecological cancer

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Footnotes

  • Contributors CB and BC reviewed the record, obtained photomicrographs, obtained consent and prepared the manuscript. FX directed patient care, advised development of the manuscript and agreed with the final draft.

  • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

  • Patient consent for publication Obtained.