Fallopian tube cancer is usually treated with surgery to remove the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes or ovaries, and sometimes also lymph nodes as well. Your doctor will discuss what type of surgery might be best for you.

A total hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and cervix. Your doctor may also remove part of your vagina, called a radical hysterectomy. In most cases, the fallopian tubes and ovaries are also removed – this is called a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The ovaries are removed either because the cancer may have spread to the ovaries, or because the ovaries produce oestrogen, a hormone that may cause the cancer to grow.

The operation can be either:

• open surgery, where a large cut is made in your belly
• laparoscopic surgery (also called keyhole surgery), where several small cuts are made in your belly and a thin telescope is used to see inside. Your uterus and any other organs will be taken out through your vagina.

Surgery can affect your ability to have children (see Effects of treatment on fertility).

Lymph nodes (also called lymph glands) are small, bean-shaped organs that are part of the lymphatic system in your body. There are major lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, groin and abdomen. The lymphatic system is an important part of the immune system.

If fallopian tube cancer has spread into the muscular wall of the uterus, this increases the risk that it will spread to other areas near the uterus and to the pelvic lymph nodes. Your doctor may discuss the need to remove some of the lymph nodes in your pelvic region, to make sure the cancer doesn’t spread further. Surgically removing your lymph nodes is called a lymphadenectomy.

Lymph node removal is not recommended for all women. If cancer is found in the lymph nodes, your doctor may advise more therapy, called adjuvant therapy.

Chemotherapy will usually be given after surgery for fallopian tube cancer. This may be given directly into the belly (called intraperitoneal chemotherapy).

Targeted therapies may be given for fallopian tube cancer. Bevacizumab (Avastin®) may be used for people with stage 3 or 4 fallopian tube cancer.

Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody, which is a type of immunotherapy. It works by blocking the action of a growth factor called VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). It may be used on its own or in combination with chemotherapy.

PARP inhibitors may be used for people with advanced or recurrent fallopian tube cancer. These are medicines that block DNA repair and can cause cancer cells to die. Examples of these medicines are olaparib, rucaparib and niraparib.

In some cases of fallopian tube cancer, radiotherapy to the abdomen and pelvis may be given after chemotherapy.