3.2 Genital tract cancers Flashcards
What are the top 10 cancers in women?
1) breast
2) colorectum
3) lung
4) endometrial
5) ovarian
6) skin
7) lymphoid
8) stomach
9) thyroid
10) cervical
what genetic condition predispose to type 1 endometrial cancer?
HNPCC/Lynch syndrome
is oestregen related to type 1 endometrial cancer?
Oestrogen-related (background of endometrial hyperplasia from unopposed oestrogen-mediated proliferative phase of the endometrial cycle)
what is seen in the histology for type 1 endometrial cancer?
Endometrioid adenocarcinoma
when is type 1 endometrial cancer diagnosed?
Average age: 63 years (lower grade; occurs in younger age group)
what stage is when type 1 endometrial cancer diagnosed?
Early stage (70%)
what is the survival for type 1 endometrial cancer?
5-year: 83%
what genetic condition predispose to type 2 endometrial cancer?
p53 mutations (abnormal accumulation of p53 protein)
is oestregen related to type 21 endometrial cancer?
Non-oestrogen-related (background of atrophic oestrogen-deficient endometrium) → serous carcinomas develop from endometrial intraepithelial carcinomas (EIC)
what is seen in the histology for type 2 endometrial cancer?
Non-endometrioid, serous/clear cells
when is type 2 endometrial cancer diagnosed?
Average age: 67 years (older age group)
what stage is when type 2 endometrial cancer diagnosed?
Advanced stage (50%)
what is the survival for type 2 endometrial cancer?
5-year: 53% (serous), 62% (clear
What are the risk factors for type 1 oestrogen relataed endometrial cancer?
- Anovulation and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Nulliparity (never given birth to children before)
- Early menarche (first occurrence of menstruation)
- Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) without progestin
- Tamoxifen (for breast cancer) predisposes to cystic hyperplasia of endometrium
- Obesity/diabetes mellitus: increased risk of hyperoestrogenaemia (due to insulin resistance and reduced SHBG levels)
- Breast and ovarian cancer
- Genetic factors: hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC/Lynch syndrome) → high risk of colon and endometrial cancers
How is endometrial hyperplasia which occurs in Type I EC classified under WHO 1994 classification?
Based on complexity of glandular architecture and presence of atypia (higher risk of progression to malignancy)
- simple hyperplasia: mildly crowded glands, widely spaced with stroma in between
- complex hyperplasia: >50% gland to stromal ration, the gland to stroma ratio is higher in complex compared to simple hyperplasia
How is endometrial hyperplasia which occurs in Type I EC classified under WHO 2014 classification?
Based on presence/absence of cytological crypts
- Hyperplasia without atypia: risk of progression to EC < 5% over 20 years
- Atypical hyperplasia: high risk of progression to malignancy
What are the features of EC during the early tumour growth?
Characterised by the following features:
• ____________ (growing outwards beyond the surface of the epithelium) and spreading pattern
• __________ (breaks down easily → vaginal bleeding)
• ___________ invasion and growth towards _____________
Exophytic;
Pliability;
Myometrial;
cervix
where does endometrial cancer locally extend normally?
Invasion of adjacent structures (most common progression): myometrium, serosa, cervix, vagina, parametrium, ovary, tubes
What is the clinical presentation of endometrial cancer?
• Abnormal uterine bleeding (most common sign; ~80%): pre/peri-menopausal heavy prolonged bleeding, post-menopausal bleeding, vaginal discharge
o Post-menopausal bleeding must be investigated with priority due to the possibility of EC
• Pelvic pressure (causing urinary/bowel symptoms)
• Manifestations of metastatic disease
• Incidental finding on US pelvis (in PCOS) → increased endometrial thickness
• Abnormal Pap smear (atypical glandular cells/AGUS on endometrial origin → 1.5% risk of EH and 3% risk of EC)
o 50% of patients in stage II – IV EC have abnormal Pap smear findings
what is the ddx of endometrial cancer when presented with post menopausal bleeding?
endometrial/vaginal atrophy, endometrial hyperplasia, polyps, cervical and vaginal pathologies
what are hpv strains which are cancer causing?
- HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58
- Types 16 & 18 are responsible for >75% of cervical cancers and >50% of vaginal and vulvar cancers
what are the risk factors for cervical cancer?
The risk of developing cervical cancer is increased by obesity, sexual history, multiparity, lower socioeconomic status and some co-factor interactions
Sexual history
- Early age of sexual activity: RR 2.5 if age < 18 years
- Multiple sexual partners: RR 2.8 if ≥ 5 partners
- Partner with multiple sexual partners or known HPV infection or intercourse with high-risk men
Co factors
- Cigarette smoking: both active and passive (2 – 3-fold increased incidence of HSIL and invasive cancer)
- Infection by other microbes: Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HSV, Trichomonas
- Sex hormonal influences: long-term OCP use (2-fold for >5-year use)
- Immunosuppression (exogenous/endogenous)
where does cervical cancer expand locally to normally?
Extension to endocervix or vaginal fornixes → progressive infiltration of parametrium, uterine corpus, bladder, rectum