Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC)

Serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC) is a precancerous lesion that can develop in a fallopian tube. This means that there are changes to cells of the fallopian tube that make them more likely to develop into cancer. STIC is not yet cancer. But if it isn’t treated, there is a chance it will become cancer.

STIC is rare, but can spread to the ovaries and become a cancerous tumour called high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). It can also spread to the peritoneum and develop into primary peritoneal cancer.

The following risks increase your chance of developing STIC:

• BRCA gene mutations
• a strong family history of breast or ovarian cancers

There are typically no signs or symptoms of STIC.

STIC is often found during surgery to remove the ovaries and fallopian tubes (called a bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy) or surgery to cut or block the fallopian tubes (called a tubal ligation or getting your tubes tied). These surgeries prevent pregnancy. They may also be done to prevent or treat ovarian, fallopian tube or primary peritoneal cancer.

If the surgeon sees abnormal cells they think might be STIC, they will remove different samples of tissue. STIC is diagnosed after the samples are tested in the lab.

STIC can be treated before it becomes cancer. Surgery can be used to completely remove the precancerous cells.