Carcinoma of the fallopian tube presenting as acute pelvic inflammatory disease

BACKGROUND: Primary carcinomas of the fallopian tube are rare and their preoperative diagnosis is difficult due to the lack of specific symptoms. CASES: We present two tumors diagnosed in women 74 and 77 years old. On examination both patients presented as acute pelvic peritonitis with abdominal pain and tenderness with guarding and rebound, as well as fever and leukocytosis. At surgery, a left tubal carcinoma was found in each patient. Marked inflammatory and purulent reaction involving the uterus, the adnexa, and the pelvic peritoneum, and no abnormalities in the digestive tract were identified. A total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was performed in both patients. CONCLUSION: Carcinoma of the fallopian tube should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pelvic peritonitis, a previously poorly reported clinical presentation.