Classification of Fallopian Tube Cytology Sampling to Develop a Model for Future Peritoneal and Ovarian Cancer Screening

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Introduction

Ovarian epithelial malignancy is responsible for a significant number of cancer deaths in the US. Many high grade serous neoplasms have been postulated to arise from the fallopian tube (FT) fimbria. The goal of this study is to develop a feasible method for cytologic evaluation of FT cytology that can adequately represent intraluminal pathology. We also performed descriptive classification of the cytologic findings.

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Materials and Methods

Cytologic samples were collected prospectively by brushing the FT fimbria with a pap cytobrush from patients undergoing salpingectomy for any indication, other than ovarian cancer. Patients undergoing clinically indicated salpingectomy for any diagnosis other than ovarian or peritoneal cancer from March to April 2014 were enrolled. The samples were collected ex vivo, immediately after removal of the specimen. They were later stored in SurePath™ liquid specimen vials, until Papanicolaou stain

Results

A total of 46 cytology samples were evaluated. Cellularity was moderate to high in 74% (34/46), with a clean background and no artifact in 87% (40/46) and 93% (43/46) respectively. All specimens had ciliated columnar cells predominantly arranged in clusters and honeycomb architecture. Hyperchromatic nuclei were commonly present (78%), however marked nuclear pleomorphism and anisonucleosis was only associated with malignancy.

One out of 8 patients with endometrial cancer and positive pelvic

Conclusion

FT samples can be adequately collected from the fimbria for cytologic evaluation. Better understanding of FT cytomorphologic features may be used to supplement histologic diagnosis. Potential implications can result in development of a screening test for adnexal malignancy.

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