Fallopian tube cancer is rare, accounting for about 1% of all cancers of a woman’s reproductive system. It is more common for other cancers to spread to the fallopian tubes rather than for cancer to begin there. For example, the fallopian tubes are a common site of metastasis (spread) of cancers that started in the ovaries, uterus, endometrium, appendix, or colon.

If detected early, fallopian tube cancer can often be successfully treated. At its earliest stage, where the cancer is only in the lining of the fallopian tube, the five-year survival rate (the percentage of people who survive at least five years after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die from other diseases) is 95%. The survival rate decreases as the cancer spreads. If cancer has spread to the walls of the fallopian tube, the five-year survival rate is about 75%; if it has spread outside of the fallopian tube, the five-year survival rate is 45%. Learn more about the staging [2] system of fallopian tube cancer.

Cancer survival statistics should be interpreted with caution. These estimates are based on data from thousands of women with of this type of cancer in the United States each year, but the actual risk for a particular individual may differ. It is not possible to tell a woman how long she will live with fallopian tube cancer. Because the survival statistics are measured in five-year intervals, they may not represent advances made in the treatment or diagnosis of this cancer. Learn more about understanding statistics [3].

Source: Oncolink, The University of Pennsylvania.