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Tubal ligation and salpingectomy and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer: A case-control stud

Cyriel Anthony I. Tingne, MD and Jean Anne B. Toral, MD, MSCE, FPOGS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines-Manila

Background: Epithelial ovarian carcinoma is the most lethal of the gynecologic malignancies. Recent theories on the etiopathogenesis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma supported the presence of occult, early stage neoplasms in the fimbriated end of the fallopian tube even before development of ovarian carcinoma. This study is interested in correlating opportunistic salpingectomy or tubal ligation as a possible effective prevention strategy in the occurrence of epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

Objective: To determine the association between the occurrence of epithelial ovarian carcinoma and a previous history of tubal ligation and/ or salpingectomy

Methods: This is a case-control study involving chart review of patients who underwent total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingoophorectomy with a histologically verified epithelial ovarian cancer (cases) and patients who underwent same surgical procedure for benign gynecologic conditions specifically myoma uteri and adenomyosis with normal ovaries on final histology report (controls). The association between the occurrence of epithelial ovarian carcinoma and previous tubal ligation and/or salpingectomy was determined using appropriate statistical methods.

Results: A total of 558 patients were included in this review. They were divided into 158 post-surgical patients with histologically verified epithelial ovarian cancer (cases) and 400 post-surgical patients for benign gynecologic conditions with normal ovaries on final histology report (controls). Adjusted for age, parity and obesity the odds of developing epithelial ovarian carcinoma in subjects without previous tubal ligation and/or salpingectomy is 29%.

Conclusion: The result of the study showed that tubal ligation and/or salpingectomy reduces the risk of developing epithelial ovarian carcinoma hence for patients at average risk of ovarian cancer, risk-reducing salpingectomy should be discussed and at the time of abdominal or pelvic surgery. It must also be included in the counseling of women planning a hysterectomy for benign indications to conserve ovarian function and prevent ovarian epithelial carcinoma.

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