B9: Cervical Cancer Flashcards
General structure of HPV
non-enveloped oncogenic DNA viruas
Which strain of HPV causes more than half of all cervical cancer cases?
high risk strain 16
Role of E6 in HPV
E6 binds p53 and promotes its degradation → promotes DNA synthesis of abnormal DNA
Role of E7 in HPV
E7 binds RB and inactivates it —> uncontrolled replication of cervical epithelial cells which are resistant to apoptosis
Which cervical cell types does HPV tend to infect first?
Squamous cells
Risk factors for Cervical Cancer
- females who have sex without condom
- have multiple sexual partners
- length of HPV infection
- type of HPV
- immunocompromised
- smoking
Symptoms of Cervical cancer
- abnormal vaginal bleeding particularly aft. sex
- vaginal discomfort
- vaginal discharge w unpleasant smell
- pain when urinating - dysuria
- if cancer has metastasised beyond pelvic wall can cause:
- bloody urine
- constipation
Treatment for Cervical Cancer
Cryosurgery
- liquid nitrogen is used to freeze+kill abnormal cells
Conisation
- transformation zone and some or all of endocervix is surgically removed
Chemotherapy/radiation
- for advanced cancer
Surgery
- only tumour removed or also uterus + associated lymph nodes
Social impact of Cervical cancer
- worry about passing infection on to new sexual partners
- stigma of having STI seen as shameful in society
- anxieties about disclosing infection to new partners
Target population for Cervical screening in England
women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 in England
Stages of Cervical Cancer screening
- test for HPV - sml brush used to take epithelial cells from transition zone in cervix
- cytology - if cells positive for high risk HPV; detects degree of abnormalities/changes in cervical epithelial cells
- colposcopy
