Cervical Cancer (AAG) Flashcards
In the UK, how common is cervical cancer compared to other cancers?
7th most common female cancer
What % of cervical cancer cases worldwide occur in the developing world?
80%
What is the average age of presentation of cervical cancer?
35-44 years
What is the decline in incidence of cervical cancer due to?
The introduction of screening programmes based on cytological cervical smear assessment
How does invasive cervical cancer most common progress?
From infection by human papilloma virus (HPV) to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and on to invasive disease
What is CIN?
A cytological diagnosis
What does CIN describe?
The involvement of the epidermis
What is CIN 1?
The involvement of the lower 1/3 of the epithelium
What is CIN 2?
Involvement of lower 2/3 of epithelium
What is CIN 3?
Involvement of all layers of epithelium
When does cervical cancer develop (from CIN)?
When the disease breaches the epithelial basement membrane and invades the cervical stroma
What kind of cancer are the majority of cervical cancers?
Squamous cell
What is the less common type of cervical cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
What % of cases of cervical cancer are adenocarcinomas?
15%
Where do cervical adenocarcinomas develop from?
The endocervical epithelium
Who do cervical adenocarcinomas most commonly affect?
Women under 40
What is the most significant causative factor of cervical cancer?
HPV
Which strains of HPV convey the greatest risk of cervical cancer?
HPV 16 and 18
What are the other risk factors for cervical cancer?
- High number of sexual partners
- Early age at first intercourse
- Low socioeconomic status
- Non-barrier forms of contraception
- Cigarette smoking
- Prolonged use of combined oral contraceptive pill
- Multi-parity
- Immunocompromised state
What are the different vaccinations against HPV?
- Cervarix
- Gardasil
What does Cervarix protect against?
HPV 16 and 18
What does Gardasil protect against?
HPV 6, 1,1, 16, and 18
What is the advantage of Gardasil over Cervarix?
It protects against many cases of genital warts as well as cervical cancer
Who is offered Cervarix?
All 12 and 13 year old girls in the UK
i think this might have changed? idk its from a book but i think they have the warts one now, look it up if you care
What stages of cervical cancer development are asymptomatic?
CIN and microinvasive disease
How does early stage invasive cervical cancer present?
- Post-coital bleeding
- Intermenstrual bleeding
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Offensive vaginal discharge
Is pain common in early stage invasive cervical cancer?
No
What causes symptoms in later stage cervical cancer?
Involvement of the ureters, bladder, rectum, and nerves
What can involvement of the ureters and bladder in late stages of cervical cancer lead to?
- Uraemia
- Haematuria