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Alimentary > Cancer > Flashcards

Cancer Flashcards

1
Q

What is cancer

A

Cancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells in a part of the body

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2
Q

What is the difference between primary and secondary cancers

A 
primary = arise directly from the cells in an organ 
Secondary = spread from another organ, directly or by other means
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3
Q

Where can GI cancers develop

A 
Oesophageal
Stomach
Biliary system
Pancreatic
Colorectal - small intestine, large intestine, colon and anus
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4
Q

What are the two types of oesophageal cancer

A

Adenocarcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma

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5
Q

Describe oesophageal adenocarcinoma

A 
From metaplastic columnar epithelium
Lower 1/3 of oesophagus
Related to acid reflux (repeated epithelium damage)
developed world
males>females
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6
Q

Describe squamous cell carcinoma

A

From normal oesophageal squamous epithelium
Upper 2/3 of oesophagus
Acetaldehyde pathway (damages epithelial cells)
Less developed world
Asian population

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7
Q

What are the investigations done for colon cancer

A 
Abdominal radiograohy (X-ray
Plain computer tomography (CT)
Barium Enema
Colonoscopy
CT virtual colonoscopy
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8
Q

Describe the epidemiology for colon cancer

A

more than 30,000 new cases a year
males>females
1/25 risk, 1/50 dying risk

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9
Q

What are the risk factors for colon cancer

A 
Family History
IBS 
Specific inherited conditions
FAP, HNPCC, Lynch Syndrome
Uncontrolled Ulcerative Colitis
Age
Previous Polyps
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10
Q

Describe pancreatic cancer and its symptoms

A

diagnosis is very late - “silent killer”
Symptoms include depression, abdominal pain and glucose intolerance
Later symptoms = weight loss, jaundice, ascites and gall bladder obstructions

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11
Q

What are the risk factors for pancreatic cancer

A 
Smoking
Drinking
Obesity
Family
Especially rare conditions such as MEN
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12
Q

Describe the development of an adenocarcinoma

A
  1. Normal epithelium
  2. Hyperplasia - abnormal proliferation of epithelial cells
  3. Development of adenomatous polyps
  4. Development of adenocarcinoma
  5. Metastasis
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13
Q

Describe the development of a squamous cell carcinoma

A
  1. Normal epithelium
  2. Metaplasia - development of abnormal squamous cell (Barrett’s)
  3. Dysplasia - proliferation of abnormal cells
  4. Severe dysplasia - almost all cells are abnormal
  5. Development of squamous cell carcinoma
  6. Metastitsis
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14
Q

What are the associations and causes of adenomas and squamous cell carcinomas made

A

adenoma = obesity, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption

SC carcinoma = tobacco smoking/chewing, alcohol consumption, ingestion

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15
Q

What are the symptoms for oesophageal cancer

A

do not appear until >50% is cancerous
early = difficulty and pain swallowing, weight loss, pain in the breast bone and stomach
late = nausea, vomiting, regurgitation, vomiting blood

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16
Q

What are the clinical investigations done for oesophageal cancer

A

Endoscopy - using a camera to observe the tumour, and a biopsy to evaluate the cells by histology
CT scan to check for metastasis
Endoscopic ultrasound to determine level of invasion

17
Q

Describe the treatment for oesophageal cancer

A

Surgery
In early stages, the tumour may be removed from the oesophageal wall
Oesophagectomy - removal of part of the oesophagus

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy

18
Q

What are the causes of colorectal cancer

A 
Old age
Diet (Red and processed meat)
Alcohol
Obesity
Tobacco smoking
Sedentary lifestyle
19
Q

How is colorectal cancer screened for

A

Faecal sample to test for the presence of blood

Every 2 years for people >60

20
Q

What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer

A 
Worsening constipation
Blood in the stool
Loss of appetite
Loss of weight
Nausea and Vomiting
Rectal bleeding
Anemia
21
Q

Describe the treatment for colorectal cancer

A

Surgery - remove the tumour via colonoscopy or laparotomy

Chemotherapy or radiotherapy

22
Q

What is the pathology of adenocarcinoma

A

Not a single gene process

Sequence of genetic errors - APC

23
Q

Which symptoms are NOT associated with colorectal cancer

A 
Rectal  bleeding (itch, soreness, external lump, prolapse)
Change in bowel habit tp harder or less frequent stool
Abdominal pin
24
Q

What are the advantage and disadvantages of colonoscopy

A

advantages - safe, relatively quick, high sensitivity

disadvantages - bowel prep -
> diarrhoea
small risk of perforation
Risk of dehydration

Alimentary (16 decks)

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