Should You Consider a Salpingectomy?
Research shows that the most common type of ovarian cancer often begins in the fallopian tubes, not the ovaries. Removing the tubes, which connect the ovaries to the uterus, can lower the risk of ovarian cancer significantly. Surgery to remove the fallopian tubes is called salpingectomy.
Recently, doctors and medical groups have been recommending salpingectomy for some people who are already having pelvic surgery.
“Because we have no effective screening tests for ovarian cancer, removing the tubes is currently our best preventive tool,” said Linda Van Le, MD. She is a gynecologic cancer specialist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) expert.
When performed to reduce cancer risk during another planned operation, the procedure is known as an opportunistic or preventive salpingectomy. Because any surgery carries some risk, doctors do not usually perform a salpingectomy on its own for cancer prevention. Instead, the procedure is generally done at the same time as another surgery.
Salpingectomy may be the right choice if:
- You have an average ovarian cancer risk. People at average risk don’t have any high-risk factors, such as an inherited BRCA1 gene mutation.
- You’re not planning to have children in the future. Getting pregnant naturally is not possible after removal of both fallopian tubes.
- You’re already scheduled for another surgery in the abdomen or pelvis.
People with a high risk of ovarian cancer often have a gene mutation that raises ovarian cancer risk. High-risk women typically need their ovaries removed in addition to the fallopian tubes. This surgery is known as salpingo-oophorectomy.
In the past, fallopian tube removal has been offered, but mainly during surgeries on the female reproductive organs. For example, a salpingectomy could be done during removal of the uterus (hysterectomy). Instead of a person getting their “tubes tied” (tubal ligation), the fallopian tubes may be removed entirely. However, experts say salpingectomy should also be considered when planning other procedures in the abdomen or pelvis, such as gallbladder removal or hernia repair in women who do not plan to get pregnant in the future.
Studies show that a salpingectomy adds only a short amount of operating time and does not increase complications during surgery. It also doesn’t affect recovery. Healing time can range from 1 or 2 weeks up to 6 weeks or longer, depending on the main procedure that was done.
Removing the fallopian tubes does not cause surgical menopause. The ovaries stay in place and continue to produce hormones.
Salpingectomy may not be routinely discussed when people are planning other types of surgery. “Non-gynecologists are probably not offering tube removal unless the patient asks,” said Dr. Van Le.
If you have an upcoming surgery, talk to your gynecologist and care team. Ask whether fallopian tube removal is right for you.
Learn more from the American Cancer Society:
Dr. Van Le is a member of ASCO’s Patient Information Advisory Committee.
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Written by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) with medical and editorial review by the American Cancer Society content team.
