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A response to the forgotten fallopian tube

Nature Reviews Cancer volume 11, page 227 (2011)Cite this article

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We thank Johannes Dietl and Jörg Wischhusen for their correspondence on the recent Opinion article (The genesis and evolution of high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Nature Rev. Cancer 10, 803–808 (2010))1 and agree with the authors (The forgotten fallopian tube. Nature Rev. Cancer 10 Feb 2011 (doi:10.1038/nrc2946-c1))2 that the complete removal of the fallopian tube during hysterectomy and/or oophorectomy is essential to reduce the risk of high-grade serous cancers. We are more cautious than Dietl and Wishhusen, however, about recommending salpingectomy-only for women at increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Unintentional retention of tubal epithelium following hysterectomy has been described3 and indeed is the norm in premenopausal women. Among women recruited through the Australian Ovarian Cancer Study there were some who developed serous ovarian cancer years after hysterectomy, but whether this outcome was influenced by any retention of the fallopian tube is unclear.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. David D. L. Bowtell is at the Cancer Genomics and Genetics, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, 8006, and the University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia.,

    David D. L. Bowtell

  2. Department of Medical Oncology, Michael Friedlander is at the Royal Hospital for Women, Sydney 2031, Australia.,

    Michael Friedlander

  3. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Michael Quinn is at the Melbourne University, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville 3052, Australia.,

    Michael Quinn

  4. Gillian Mitchell is at the Familial Cancer Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne 8006, Australia.,

    Gillian Mitchell

Authors
  1. David D. L. Bowtell
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  2. Michael Friedlander
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  3. Michael Quinn
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  4. Gillian Mitchell
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Correspondence to David D. L. Bowtell.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Bowtell, D., Friedlander, M., Quinn, M. et al. A response to the forgotten fallopian tube. Nat Rev Cancer 11, 227 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc2946-c2

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