What causes fallopian tube cancer?

The fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the womb. Cancer starts when cells acquire changes that disrupt normal growth and repair. A BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation can impair DNA repair and may be passed through a family. This raises susceptibility, but it does not mean cancer is certain.

Fallopian tube cancer is uncommon, and clinicians may consider whether a tumour began in the tube or nearby reproductive tissue. The origin is determined through examination, imaging and laboratory analysis of tissue. Symptoms such as pelvic discomfort, bloating or unusual discharge can have many non-cancerous explanations.

Make an appointment if symptoms persist, recur or represent a change from your usual pattern. Share your personal and family history of breast, ovarian, fallopian tube or related cancers. Ask whether genetic counselling or BRCA testing is appropriate, especially when several relatives were affected or cancer occurred at a younger age.

A clinician may arrange a pelvic examination, imaging and blood tests, but tissue examination is what confirms the diagnosis. Keep a symptom diary that records pain, bloating, bleeding, discharge, appetite and bowel or bladder changes.

Seek prompt medical advice for persistent pelvic or abdominal pain, increasing abdominal swelling, unusual vaginal bleeding or discharge, or a lasting change in bowel or bladder habits. Obtain urgent help for sudden severe pain, faintness, repeated vomiting or heavy bleeding.

Could my family history suggest an inherited BRCA change? Would genetic counselling help? Which tests would identify the source of a pelvic mass? If tissue is sampled, how will the result show where it began? What symptoms should prompt urgent contact?