Cancer Flashcards
Difference between primary and secondary cancers?
Primary = directly from cells in organ
Secondary/metastases = spread from another organ
Give some examples of GI cancers
- Oesophageal
- Stomach
- Biliary system
- Pancreatic
- Colorectal (SI/LI/Colon/Anus)
What are the 3 most common GI cancers?
Oesophageal
Colon
Pancreatic
Distinguish adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.
BOTH OESOPHAGEAL
Adenocarcinoma:
- Columnar epithelium
- Lower 1/3 oesophagus
- Acid reflux
- More developed world
Squamous cell carcinoma::
- Oesophageal squamous epithelium (upper 2/3 oesophagus)
- Acetaldehyde pathway
- Less developed world
What are 5 investigations for colon cancers are there?
- Abdominal wall X ray
- CT
- Barium enema
- Colonoscopy (good but needs prep time)
- CT virtual colonoscopy
Describe signs of pancreatic cancer
1 yr survival = 18%
5 yr survival = 2%
Depression, abdominal pain, glucose intolerance.
Subsequent advanced symptoms - weight loss, jaundice, ascites, gall bladder obstruction
Are adenocarcinomas more common in men or women?
Men, more in developed world
Describe the development of adenocarcinoma
- Normal epithelium
- Hyperplasia
- Adenomatous polyps
- Adenocarcinoma
- Metastatic cancer
What are the main causes of squamous cell carcinoma?
- Smoking/chewing tobacco
- Alcohol consumption (acetaldehyde metabolite)
- Ingesting caustic substances
Describe the development of squamous cell carcinoma?
- Normal epithelium
- Metaplasia
- Dysplasia
- Severe dysplasia
- Squamous cell carcinoma development
- Metastasis
What clinical investigations can be done for oesophageal cancers?
- Endoscopy
- CT Scan
- Endoscopic ultrasound
Describe the stages of colon cancer
- Normal epithelium
- Hyperproliferatuve epithelium
- Small adenoma
- Large adenoma
- Colon carcinoma
Symptoms of colon cancer?
can be asymptomatic
- Change in bowel habit
- Blood in stool
- Acute intestinal obstruction
Which metal is used in CTVC?
Bismuth
What is acute pancreatitis?
Acute inflammatory process leading to necrosis of pancreatic parenchyma
Signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis
Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, shock
Tests method
Simple Blood Tests Complex blood tests Simple imaging Complex imaging Invasive test
Causes of acute pancreatitis
Gallstones Ethanol Trauma Steroids Mumps Autoimmune Scorpion bite Hyperlipidaemia ERCP Drugs (valproate/azathioprine)
What are complications of pancreatitis?
Systemic: hypovolaemia, hypoxia, hyperglycaemia, hypocalcaemia, multiple organ failure
Localised: pancreatic necrosis, fluid collections, splenic vein thrombosis, chronic pancreatitis
What treatment is there for pancreatitis?
Fluids, painkillers, nutrition, organ support
Define chronic pancreatitis
can cause steatorrhea, ADEK
Progressive fibroinflammatory process of the pancreas - results in permanent structural damage, leading to impaired endocrine and exocrine function.
Management of chronic pancreatitis?
- Stop smoking and alcohol
- Small meals with low fat
- PPI/Pancreatic supplements
- Analgesia
