Fallopian Cancer: Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
Detecting the symptoms of fallopian cancer may prove difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of ovarian cancer and uterine cancer. However, with the help of the following tests, doctors and health care providers can determine if fallopian cancer is present. These tests include:
Pelvic Exam: is a thorough examination of your reproductive organs by your doctor. A pelvic exam will help your doctor determine the cause of irregular bleedings, abdominal and/or pelvic pain that you may be experiencing. Your doctor will evaluate your vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries for any abnormal growth.
Ultrasound: If abnormal growth is located in your fallopian tubes, your doctor will most likely follow up with an ultrasound to develop a picture of your fallopian tubes. This picture can be used to analyze for cancer cells.
Surgery: To confirm the presence of cancer cells in one or both of the fallopian tubes, your doctor will perform an exploratory surgery to verify cancer and to determine the stage of cancer.
Fallopian Cancer Treatment
Most of the fallopian cancer treatments have been adopted from ovarian cancer treatments. Some of the common forms of treatment for fallopian cancer includes:
Surgery: Is often the first step in treating fallopian cancer. Surgery involves removing as much of the cancer cells and organs affected such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries. The uterus may also be removed in the process called hysterectomy. Some of the connective tissues in the pelvis may also be removed to prevent the cancer from spreading. Common side effects of treating the cancer with surgery include infertility, and severe symptoms of menopause.
Radiation: Radiation therapy may be used to eradicate any of cancerous cells remaining after surgery. Or it may be used to cause the tumors to shrink. Some side effects of radiation therapy include: fatigue and nausea.
Chemotherapy: like radiation therapy is mainly used after surgery to ensure all the cancer cells are eliminated. Chemotherapy involves using a combination or oral and intramuscular injectable drugs. Taxol and Platinol are the two common types of drugs used to treat fallopian cancer. Some side effects of chemotherapy include hair loss, decreased appetite, and nausea.
