Opportunistic salpingectomy for prevention of ovarian cancer among the general population.

Purpose of review: Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynaecological cancer. Early detection and treatment options are limited, so prevention is key. This article reviews the current opinion on opportunistic salpingectomy for ovarian cancer prevention within the general population.

Recent findings: Salpingectomy (the removal of the fimbriated ends of the fallopian tubes) reduces ovarian cancer risk without inducing early menopause or depleting ovarian reserves. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics firmly supports the use of salpingectomy opportunistically (in addition to planned abdominal surgery) for ovarian cancer risk reduction. When salpingectomy should be provided as an elective surgery, and what nongynecological surgeries can be used as opportunities for salpingectomy, is an ongoing discussion.

Summary: As understanding of the safety and efficacy of opportunistic salpingectomy has solidified into guidelines, its use for ovarian cancer risk reduction has increased. However, the uptake of opportunistic salpingectomy has varied between geographic regions and across institutions. In the US, roughly a third of women undergo a hysterectomy during their lifetime, each of these women should have a chance to consider opportunistic salpingectomy for ovarian cancer prevention. Education about the benefits and harms of opportunistic salpingectomy is both necessary and effective in reducing inequities in access to this risk-reducing surgery.