AS Lecture 9/10 - Abdominal Pain, Pancreatitis, Appendicitis & Cancer of the Gut Flashcards
What does primary mean in terms of cancer?
Arising directly from cells in an organ
What does Secondary/metastasis mean in terms of cancer?
Spread from another organ, directly or by other means
What types of cells are present in the GI tract?
Epithelial cells (squamous, glandular), neuroendocrine cells (enterochromatin cells, interstitial cells of Cajal), connective tissue (smooth muscle, adipose tissue)
What Cancers arise from cells in the GIT?
Epithelial: squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma Neuroendocrine: carcinoid tumours, gastrointestinal stromal tumours Connective tissue: leiomyoma/leiomyosarcoma, lipomas
What is dysphagia?
Difficulty swallowing
What would you like to know if a patient comes in with dysphagia (63 yo, F)?
What does she find difficult to swallow How long Vomiting Other symptoms - WEIGHT LOSS!! Risk factors (reflux, overweight, smoking, alcohol)
What are the 3 sections of the Oesophagus?
Cervical oesophagus, middle oesophagus and lower oesophagus
What are the 2 main types of oesophageal cancer?
Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma
What is Adenocarcinoma?
From metaplastic columnar epithelium, occurring in lower 1/3 of oesophagus, related to acid reflux and mainly in developed world
What is Squamous cell carcinoma?
From normal oesophageal squamous epithelium, upper 2/3, acetaldehyde pathway, occurs more less developed world
What are some diagnostic tests to check for oesophageal cancer?
Endoscopy, OGD, gastroscopy
How does the oesophagus progress from reflux to cancer?
Chronic exposure to acid, injury, ongoing inflammation, cytokines drive Oesophagitis > Barrett’s oesophagus > Dysplasia > carcinoma
What is a type of metaplasia?
Barrett’s oesophagus - replacement of squamous cell mucosa with columnar mucosa
What is the risk of cancer from Barrett’s?
0.12% per year, BUT Dysplasia can increase the risk to 30% when high grade Dysplasia occurs
From Barrett’s oesophagus what happens?
BO can go to low grade Dysplasia/high grade Dysplasia/straight to adenocarcinoma or can go in between each option
What to do with patient with low grade Dysplasia?
Reassure, start her on anti-acid medication, start surveillance and maybe begin on aspirin
What are the possible surveillance guidelines?
4 biopsies every 1 cm segment BO: no Dysplasia - every 3-5yrs Low grade dysplasia - every 6 months until no dysplasia, high grade dysplasia - Flat (RFA) or nodular (endoscopic mucosal resection then HALO)
What are the risk factors for bowel cancer?
Family history, specific inherited condition (FAP, HNPCC, Lynch syndrome), uncontrolled Ulcerative Colitis, age, previous polyps
How is Adenocarcinoma formed?
Normal epithelium, hyperproliferative epithelium, small adenoma, large adenoma, colon carcinoma
What are polyps made from?
Small adenoma - benign but have potential to become cancer
What is the pathology of colorectal cancer?
Not a single gene process, sequence of genetic errors, and not simple Mendelian inheritance
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Asymptomatic (incidental anaemia), change in bowel habit (diarrhoea/constipation), blood in stool (bright red is rectum and not very worrying; dark red/black is higher up and is very worrying), acute intestinal obstruction
What are some symptoms NOT to do with colorectal cancer?
Rectal bleeding with anal symptoms (itch, soreness, external lump, prolapse), change in bowel habit to harder/less frequent stool, abdominal pain in the absence of obstruction
What are some advantages and disadvantages of abdominal X Rays?
Adv: cheap, easy, quick Disadvantage: not that useful, sensitivity of obstruction 77%, specificity for obstruction 50%