Cancer Flashcards
What type of cancer is most common in the bladder?
Transitional cell carcinomas
Recall 3 risk factors for bladder cancer
Recurrent UTIs
Schistomiasis
Naphthylamine dye exposure
Recall a key epidemiological factor for bladder cancer
2-3 x more common in males
Recall the symptoms of bladder cancer
Normal urinary symptoms you would expect: polyuria, urgency, nocturia
Painless, macrocytic haematuria
Recurrent UTIs
Recall the initial investigation used for bladder cancer
Cytoscopy
What sort of scan is used to stage bladder cancer?
CT or MRI
What is the most common type of cancer in the breast?
Invasive ductal carcinoma
Recall 3 things that prolong oestrogen exposure
Nulliparity
Late menopause
Obesity
Recall the symptoms of breast cancer
Breast lump: irregular size/shape, may have bloody discharge
Axillary lump
Cardinal symptoms
Recall the signs of breast cancer including the characteristic appearance of the lump
Lump is firm and irregular, and tethered to surrounding tissues
Peau d’orange and skin tethering
Nipple inversion
Paget’s disease of the nipple (eczema like surrounding skin)
Recall the triple assessment investigative procedure used in breast cancer
- Examination
- Ultrasound/ mammogram
- FNA/ core biopsy
What investigations may be done in breast cancer in order to stage the tumour?
CT, CXR, Liver US (looking for mets)
Bloods (including Ca2+ and bone profile)
What is a cholangiocarcinoma?
Primary adenocarcinoma of the biliary tree
Recall the 3 risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma
Choledochal cyst
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Ulcerative colitis
Recall the symptoms of jaundice
Mnemonic: You Shall Poo Stools Deemed Unhealthily Pale Yellow Skin Pale Stool Dark Urine Prutitis
Recall the symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma
Jaundice
Abdominal pain
Cardinal symptoms
Recall the LFT results expected in cholangiocarcinoma
Raised ALP and GGT
What tumour marker may be present in cholangiocarcinoma?
CEA
Carcinoembryonic antigen
What is the key investigation to do to diagnose cholangiocarcinoma?
ERCP - also use to do biopsy
How are CNS tumours classified?
High or low grade
What is the difference between high and low grade CNS tumours?
Rate of growth - only low grade ones may be treated
Recall examples of high grade CNS tumours
Mnemonic = GLUM
Glioma (+ glioblastoma multiforme)
Lymphoma (primary cerebral)
Medulloblastoma
Recall examples of low grade CNS tumours
Meningioma
Acoustic neuroma
Chraniopharyngoma
Who is particularly at risk of low grade CNS tumours?
HIV/AIDS patients
What is an important differential to rule out when you suspect a CNS tumour?
Temporal arteritis
Why are CNS tumours not staged?
Metastases from primary pretty much non-existent
What type of cancer is colon cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
Recall the relative proportion of distribution of colon cancers
10% in ascending and transverse colon
30% in descending colon
60% in sigmoid colon/ recum
What are the key mutations implicated in colon cancer?
KRas and APC
Recall the 3 key risk factors for colon cancer?
IBD
Polyps
Western diet
Differentiate the symptoms seen in cancers of the ascending/ transverse colon and symptoms that present in descending/sigmoid/rectal tumours
Ascending/transverse: later presentation: anaemia, malaiase, weight loss
Descending/sigmoid/rectal = earlier presentation: change in bowel habit, rectal bleeding, tenesmus
Why do colon cancers often present as an emergency?
Obstruction/ haemorrhage is common
Where is colon cancer most likely to metastasise to?
Liver
What is an important blood test to do in primary investigations for colon cancer?
FBC as will show anaemia
Which tumour markers may be present in colorectal cancer?
Ca19-9
CEA
What screening test may be used for colorectal cancer?
Faecal occult blood
How should a biopsy be obtained for colorectal cancer?
Endoscopy