Brachytherapy involves placing radioactive implants, such as metal pellets, seeds, ribbons, wires, needles, capsules or tubes in small sealed holders inside your body. The implants may be in place for only a short time, or may remain in your body permanently. This allows us to treat you with a high dose of radiation to a smaller area than is possible with external radiation. This limits radiation exposure to your healthy surrounding tissues.

Conformal radiation therapy gives us more control when treating tumors. In conformal radiation, a special computer uses CT imaging scans to create 3-D maps of the location of your cancer. The system permits the delivery of radiation from several directions, and the beams can then be shaped, or conformed, to match the shape of the cancer. Conformal radiation therapy limits radiation exposure to nearby healthy tissue, as well as the tissue in the beam’s path.

In IGRT, the linear accelerators (machines that deliver radiation) are equipped with imaging technology that takes pictures of your tumor immediately before or during the time radiation is delivered. Specialized computer software compares these images of your tumor to the images taken during the simulation to establish your individualized treatment plan. Necessary adjustments can then be made to your position and/or the radiation beams to more precisely target radiation at the cancer and to avoid exposure to your healthy surrounding tissue.

Our radiation oncologists use intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to treat fallopian tube cancer. This advanced mode of high-precision radiotherapy uses computer-controlled linear accelerators to deliver precise radiation doses to tumors or specific areas within the tumors. Radiation therapy, including IMRT, stops cancer cells from dividing and growing, thus slowing or stopping tumor growth. In many cases, radiation therapy is capable of killing all of the cancer cells. Using 3-D computed tomography (CT) images and computerized dose calculations, IMRT allows for the radiation dose to conform more precisely to the three-dimensional shape of your tumor. This is done by controlling the intensity of the radiation beam in multiple small volumes. The therapy allows higher radiation doses to be focused on regions within your tumor while minimizing the dose to surrounding normal critical structures.

PET scans create computerized images of chemical changes, such as metabolism, that take place in the tissue. This helps locate a tumor, because cancer cells have a higher metabolism rate than other tissues in your body.

Through the combined matching of a CT scan with PET images, there is an improved capacity to determine whether tissues are abnormal. Radiation oncologists also use the PET images to check the effectiveness of radiation treatments on cancer cells.

Surgery for fallopian tube cancer can be performed at multiple phases of treatment. A minimally invasive surgery called a laparoscopy may be performed first to help determine if your entire tumor can be removed. If so, a more intensive surgery called a laparotomy may be performed to remove as much of the tumor as possible. This procedure is called debulking surgery.

Treating fallopian tube cancer may also include the following surgeries:

• Unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: A surgical procedure to remove one ovary and one fallopian tube.
• Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: A surgical procedure to remove both ovaries and both fallopian tubes.
• Omentectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the omentum (fatty tissue in the peritoneum).
• Hysterectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the uterus and occasionally the cervix. When only the uterus is removed, it is called a partial or supracervical hysterectomy. When both the uterus and cervix are removed, it is called a total hysterectomy.
• Lymph node biopsy: The removal of all or part of a lymph node. A pathologist then views the lymph node tissue under a microscope to check for cancer cells.

Oncology navigators are focused on patients and committed to making sure that you receive the best possible care. They are experts in navigating complex health care situations and serve as a consistent point of contact and a reliable source for advice, support and direction for you and your family.

While conventional medicine plays a critical role in cancer treatment, integrative medicine and wellness programs can help you enhance your quality of life, minimize or reduce the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment, and promote healing and recovery. Our integrative oncology services for fallopian tube cancer can supplement traditional cancer treatments.

Our cancer specialists are knowledgeable and supportive of complementary cancer treatments. We can work with you and your family to integrate supportive programs into your overall care plan while ensuring your health and safety. Services include:

• Acupuncture
• Nutritional Counseling and services
• Mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy
• Reiki therapy
• Yoga
• Exercise and rehabilitation

Joan Karnell Supportive Services at Pennsylvania Hospital offers an extensive variety of supportive care programs for patients and families, from diagnosis through survivorship. These programs are available at no cost to the patients treated at Pennsylvania Hospital, and some are open to patients treated elsewhere. These services include social work counseling, nutrition counseling, psychological counseling and spiritual counseling.

The Cancer Appetite and Rehabilitation Clinic focuses on patients with loss of appetite and weight.

Palliative care provides physical, emotional and spiritual care that can enhance your quality of life. It can be used to complement traditional cancer therapies or when curative therapies are no longer an option. Services include palliative chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery, as well as psychological counseling, art therapy and support groups for patients and families.

Penn Medicine offers a full range of at-home health care services, including specialized therapies and medications, for patients with cancer and cancer-related conditions.