Occult Tubal Carcinoma Found at Opportunistic Salpingectomy: Incidence and Implications

Opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy is one of the primary strategies available for preventing epithelial ovarian cancer. Case: An 81-year-old woman underwent a vaginal pelvic organ prolapse and anti-incontinence procedure. An opportunistic bilateral salpingectomy was performed. Pathology testing revealed an occult fallopian tube adenocarcinoma. Results: The patient underwent surgical staging by gynecologic oncology, which revealed no further malignancy. Conclusions: In the setting of an occult tubal carcinoma identified at the time of opportunistic salpingectomy, adjuvant treatment with an interval staging procedure or chemotherapy will be needed - regardless of whether or not the ovaries were concurrently removed - and can be associated with an excellent patient outcome when early stage disease is identified.