It is not yet certain whether removing only the fallopian tubes reduces the risk of ovarian cancer. However, there is growing evidence that most ovarian cancers originate in the fallopian tube. This is especially true for a certain type of ovarian cancer, which often occurs in women with a BRCA mutation. By removing the fallopian tubes from these women, we can probably prevent 65 out of 100 cases of ovarian cancer. Less is known about the other types of ovarian cancer. It may be that the fallopian tube also plays a role in the development of the other types of ovarian cancer. However, we think that the earlier the fallopian tubes are removed, the lower the risk of ovarian cancer. Because the ovaries remain in place for some time, we can never completely rule out the possibility of ovarian cancer developing during that time.

Below are examples of the different surgeries. Each time, we assume a 38-year-old BRCA1 carrier.

In the illustrations, you can see the risk that she will develop ovarian cancer before the age of 70.

Removal of fallopian tubes and ovaries at the same time

Removal of the fallopian tubes and ovaries at the same time between the ages of 35 and 40 reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by up to 96%. The risk of still getting ovarian cancer if the 38-year-old BRCA1 carrier has her fallopian tubes and ovaries removed at the same time is: 3 out of 100.

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user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid97 out of 100 do not get ovarian cancer  
user solid3 out of 100 do get ovarian cancer  

 

Remove fallopian tubes first and remove ovaries later WITH the expected positive result

Removal of the fallopian tubes reduces the risk of ovarian cancer by 65%. If the woman has her ovaries removed later, the risk drops further. The risk of still getting ovarian cancer if the 38-year-old BRCA1 carrier has her fallopian tubes removed and at 43 her ovaries, is: 3 out of 100.

user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid97 out of 100 do not get ovarian cancer  
user solid3 out of 100 do get ovarian cancer  

 

Remove fallopian tubes first and remove ovaries later WITHOUT the expected positive result

The risk of getting ovarian cancer if the 38-year-old BRCA1 carrier has her fallopian tubes removed does not decrease. However, if she has her ovaries removed at age 43, the risk of ovarian cancer does decrease. (This corresponds to removing fallopian tubes and ovaries simultaneously at age 43.) The risk of still getting ovarian cancer is: 4 out of 100.

user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid user solid
user solid96 out of 100 do not get ovarian cancer  
user solid4 out of 100 do get ovarian cancer  

 

 

 

 

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