Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Gastrointestinal system > Cancers > Flashcards

Cancers Flashcards

1
Q

What two cancers affect the oesophagus?

A

Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma- most common type

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma- if they have a barretts oesophagus

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 2 major risk factors for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma?

A

Smoking and obesity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the most common presenting complaint for oesophageal carcinoma and what are its red flags?

A
  • Dysphagia

Red flags: anaemia, loss of weight, anorexia, resent onset of progressive symptoms, masses, malaema

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

In what part of the stomach does gastric cancer normally occur and what is the most common type of cancer?

A

Adenocarcinoma, normally in antrum or cardia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the risk factors for gastric adenocarcinoma?

A

smoking, high salt diet, FHx, chronic inflammation (eg from H. Pylori infections)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Describe the presentation of someone with gastric adenocarcinoma?

A

Epigastic pain, similar to gastric ulcers.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the differentials for epigastric pain?

A

eosphagitis, peptic ulcer, perforated ulcer, ruptured AAA, pancreatitis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the red flags for epigastric pain?

A

malaena, haematemesis, anaemia

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Other than adenocarcinoma, what other, more rare, gastric cancers may you get?

A

Gastric lymphomas of MALT tissue- most associated w/ H. Pylori and better prognosis
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (sarcomas)- very rare and usually incidental findings rather than symptomatic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the most likely cause of liver cancer?

A

Usually a metastasis from breast, colon, prostate, gastric ect.
Primary hepatocellular carinoma is very rare

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Liver cancer usually presents with intra hepatic jaundice. What are the red flags for jaundice?

A
  • Hepatomegaly w/ irrgular boarder
  • Ascities
    Painless (painful jaundice more likely inflammatory)
  • unintenional weight loss
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the most common cancer of the pancreas, where in the pancreas does it most commonly occur?

A

Ductal adenocarcinoma

Head of the pancreas

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are the risk factors for pancreatic cancer?

A

FHx, smoking, male, old age, chronic pancreatitis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How may pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma present?

A
  • post hepatic jaundice
  • acute on chronic pancreatitis
  • malabsorbtion
  • epigastric pain
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Is small bowel cancer common?

A

No its very rare

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What cancers of the small bowel can occur?

A

lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, sarcoma, carcinoid, carcinoma

17
Q

What are risk factors for small bowel cancer?

A

IBD, coeliac, famillial adenomatous polyposis, diet

18
Q

What are the symptoms of small bowel cancer?

A

weight loss, abdo pain, blood in stools, change in bowel habit, per rectal bleeding, obstruction symptoms (nausia, vomiting, constipation later)

19
Q

Is colorectal cancer common?

A

yes- 3rd most common cancer in the UK

20
Q

What type of cancer tends to affect the colon and where in the colon is most often affected?

A

Adenocarcinoma
50% are in rectum
30% are in sigmoid colon

21
Q

What symptoms arise from left sided colon cancers?

A
  • weight loss
  • abdo pain
  • bowel obstruction
  • tenesmus (feeling like you need to go when you dont)
  • mass in RIF
  • Early change in bowel habit
  • Less advanced at presentation
22
Q

What symptoms arise from right sided colon cancers?

A
  • weight loss
  • anaemia
  • occult bleeding
  • mass in RIF
  • more advanced at presentation
23
Q

Why are right sided colon cancers more advanced at presentation than left sided colon cancers?

A

the colon has a large lumen, contents are more liquid and the wall is more distensible on the right so symptoms due to blockage don’t occur till later

24
Q

What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

A

FHx, IBD, Familial adenomatous polyposis, high meat diet, sedentary lifestyle

25
Q

What differentials are there for bowel obstruction?

A

Diverticular disease, colon cancer, volvulus, hernia

26
Q

What are the differentials for per rectal bleeding?

A

haemorrhoids, anal fissures, gasteroenteritis, IBD, diverticular disease (bleeding), cancer

27
Q

What are the differentials for changes in bowel habits?

A

thryoid disease, IBD, metformin/ other meds, irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease, lactose intolerance, cancer

28
Q

How is GI cancer managed?

A
  • TNM staging via biopsies and scans
  • Blood tests- faecal ocult blood and CAE125 tumour markers + RBCs (anaemia)
  • CT and MRI (staging)
  • Colonoscopy
  • Chemo and surgery
  • If palliative= radiotherapy

Gastrointestinal system (9 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions