Cancer Flashcards
Common types of cervical cancer
- 80% squamous cell carcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma
What is the most common cause of cervical cancer?
HPV
How do we screen for cervical cancer?
Smear tests
How is HPV transmitted?
Sexually transmitted
Important strains of HPV
16 and 18
How do you treat HPV?
There is no treatment for HPV infection and most cases resolve spontaneously within 2 years but some may persist.
How does HPV cause cervical cancer?
HPV produces E6 and E7 which suppress P53 and pRb (tumour suppressor genes) which as a result promotes the development of cancer.
Risk factors for cervical cancer
Early sexual activity
Increased number of sexual partners
Sexual partners who have had more partners
Not using condoms
Smoking
HIV
COCP use for more than five years
Increased number of full term pregnancies
Family history
Presentation of cervical cancer
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Vaginal discharge
Pelvic pain
Dyspareunia
What should be done if a cervix appears abnormal on speculum examination?
Urgent cancer referral for colposcopy
What grading system is used for level of dysplasia?
CIN grading ( Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia)
CIN 1 - mild - affects 1/3 thickness of epithelial layer and likely to return to normal
CIN 2 - moderate - affects 2/3 of thickness of epithelial layer and likely to progress to cancer if untreated
CIN 3 - severe - very likely to progress to cancer if untreated
Cervical cancer screening process
Small brush collects cells from the cervix using a speculum and cells are deposited and looked at under a microscope for dyskaryosis. Sample is tested for high risk HPV before the cells are examined. If HPV negative then the cells are not examined - considered negative and returned to normal screening programme.
Cervical screening programme timeline
25-49 - every 3 years
50-64 - every 5 years
Exceptions to cervical screening programme timeline
Women with HIV screened annually
Immunocompromised women may have additional screening
Pregnancy women should wait 12 weeks (3 months) postpartum for cervical screening
Management of smear results:
1. Inadequate sample
2. HPV negative
3. HPV positive with normal cytology
4. HPV positive with abnormal cytology
- Inadequate sample - repeat smear after at least 3 months
- HPV negative - continue routine screening
- HPV positive with normal cytology - repeat HPV test after 12 months
- HPV positive with abnormal cytology - refer for colposcopy
What is colposcopy?
Involves inserting speculum and using a colposcope to magnify the cervix and examine abnormal areas of epithelial lining of cervix.
Types of biopsies during colposcopy
LLETZ or cone biopsy
Main risks of a cone biopsy
Pain
Bleeding
infection
Scar formation with stenosis of cervix
Increased risk of miscarriage and premature labour
Staging of cervical cancer
FIGO staging:
1. Confined to cervix
2. invades the uterus or upper 2/3 of vagina
3. invades pelvic wall or lower 1/3 of vagina
4. invades the bladder, rectum or beyond the pelvis
Management of cervical cancer
CIN I - LLETZ or cone biopsy
Stage 1b-2a - radical hysterectomy and removal of lymph nodes with chemo and radio
Stage 2b-4a - chemo and radio
stage 4b - combination of surgery, radio, chemo and palliative care
Current NHS vaccine for HPV
Gardasil
Most common type of endometrial cancer
Adenocarcinoma
Types of endometrial hyperplasia
Hyperplasia without atypic
Atypical hyperplasia