Cervical Cancer Flashcards
What age group does Cervical Cancer tend to affect more?
Young women (in reproductive years)
What is the most common type of Cervical Cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma (80%)
What is the second most common type of Cervical Cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
What is the most common cause of Cervical Cancer?
HPV (STI)
What is the pathophysiology of HPV causing Cervical Cancer? (4 points)
- HPV produces 2 proteins: E6 + E7
- E6 inhibits p53 (tumour suppressor gene)
- E7 inhibits pRb (tumour suppressor gene)
- Therefore: HPV promotes cancer dev by inhibiting tumour suppressor genes
What strains of HPV are responsible for 70% of Cervical Cancers? (2 things)
- Type 16
- Type 18
What are the RF for Cervical Cancer? (6 things)
- HPV (main)
- Smoking
- HIV
- COCP use for 5+ years
- High number of full-term pregnancies
- FHx
What are the RF for catching HPV? (4 things)
- Early sexual activity
- High no. of partners
- Partners who have had more partners
- Not using condoms
What are the CF of Cervical Cancer? (5 things)
- Asymptomatic (detected @ routine smear)
- Pelvic pain
- Dyspareunia (pain @ intercourse)
- Abn vaginal bleeding (intermenstrual / postcoital / post-menopausal)
- Vaginal discharge
Why is it hard to diagnose Cervical Cancer from symptoms alone?
Symptoms are non-specific, and usually NOT caused by Cervical Cancer
What investigation should be done for sus Cervical Cancer?
Speculum examination
What can be done during a Speculum examination in sus Cervical Cancer and why?
Swabs to exclude infection
What abn appearances of the cervix warrant an Urgent Cancer Referral for Colposcopy? (4 things)
- Ulceration
- Inflamm
- Bleeding
- Visible tumour
What are you aiming to diagnose / exclude @ Colposcopy?
CIN aka Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
What is CIN?
A grading system for the level of dysplasia (aka premalignant changes) in cervical cells
What are the CIN grades?
- CIN I = mild dysplasia
- CIN II = moderate dysplasia
- CIN III = severe dysplasia
What does CIN I (aka mild dysplasia) mean? (2 things)
- Dysplasia affecting 1/3 thickness of epithelial layer
- Likely to return normal w/o tx
What does CIN II (aka moderate dysplasia) mean? (2 things)
- Dysplasia affecting 2/3 thickness of epithelial layer
- Likely to progress to cancer if left untreated
What does CIN III (aka severe dysplasia) mean?
Very likely to progress to cancer if untreated
What are the aims of the screening programme for Cervical Cancer?
Pick up precancerous changes in cervix epithelium
How often are the different age groups of women screened for Cervical Cancer?
- Age 25-49: every 3 years
- Age 50-64: every 5 years
What are the exceptions to the Cervical Cancer screening program? (5 things)
- HIV pt: Screen anually
- 65+ yrs: Can request smear if not had one since 50 yrs old
- Hx of CIN: May require additional tests (e.g to test for cure after tx)
- Immunocompromised pt: Additional screening
- Pregnant: Must wait 12 wks post-partum
What does the screening for Cervical Cancer involve?
Smear test