Cervix, Vulva & Vagina Pathology Flashcards

1
Q

Describe the histology of a normal ectocervix

A

Basement membrane underpinned in stroma, basal cells on top then paranasal cells. Nuclei get smaller and become exfoliating cells

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

What does the ectocervix look like on a smear?

A

Squamous velds, small well defined nucleus with large surrounding cytoplasm

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

Describe the histology of a normal endocervix

A

Single layer of glandular epithelium, lined by single cell layer of columnar epithelium

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

What does the endocervix look like on a smear?

A

Cytoplasm, nuclei and cilia can be seen

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

Describe the transformation zone

A

Squamo-columnar junction

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

What is inflammation of the cervix called?

A

Cervicitis

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

What can cause inflammation of the cervix?

A

Chlamydia
Herpes
Follicular cervicitis

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

Name the neoplasm that can present in the cervix

A

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Cervical intraepithelial glandular neoplasia
Squamous carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma

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

State the risk factors for cervical pathology

A
High risk HPV 
Many sexual partners 
Vulnerable SC Junction 
- age of first intercourse 
- long term oral contraceptives
- non-use barrier contraception 
Smoking 
Immunosuppression (HIV/Chemotherapy)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Describe low risk HPV

A

Type 6 and 11

Infection of squamous epithelium causes enlarged nuclei, thickened and papillomatous with cytoplasmic vacuolation

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

Describe high risk HPV

A

Type 16 and 18
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Pale cells with odd shaped nuclei

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is special about squamous cells?

A

They can produce keratin

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

What is CIN?

A

Pre-invasive, dysplasia of squamous cells at the transformation zone

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

What nuclear abnormalities can be seen in CIN?

A

Hyperchromasia
Increased nucleocytoplasmic ratio
Pleomorphism

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What happens to the basal cells in CIN?

A

Usually the nuclei get smaller (mature) towards the surface but in CIN there is excess mitotic activity above basal layers and abnormal mitotic figures can be seen

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

What is seen in CIN I?

A

Basal 1/3 of epithelium occupied by abnormal cells, surface cells mature but nuclei slightly abnormal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is seen in CIN II?

A

Abnormal cells extend into the middle 1/3 with mitoses and abnormal mitotic figures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Describe CIN III

A

Abnormal cells occupy full thickness of epithelium with mitoses and abnormal cells
Squamous cell carcinoma in situ

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

How is a squamous carcinoma staged?

A
IA - 3-7mm
IB - confined to cervix, >5mm
II - spread to adjacent organs 
III - involvement of pelvic floor 
IV - distant mets
20
Q

How is a squamous carcinoma graded?

A

Well
Moderately
Poor
Undifferentiated/anaplastic

21
Q

What are the symptoms of squamous carcinoma?

A

Abnormal Bleeding
Pelvic Pain
Haematuria/urinary infections
Ureteric obstruction/renal failure

22
Q

How is CIN treated?

A

I - conservative

II and III - cold coagulation or large loop excision

23
Q

How will squamous carcinoma spread?

A

Local - uterine body, vagina, bladder, ureter, rectum
Lymphatic - early (para-aortic)
Haematogenous - late (liver, lungs, bone)

24
Q

How is stage IA squamous carcinoma treated?

A

Local excision

Simple hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy

25
Q

What is the treatment for IB-IIA squamous carcinoma?

A

Radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy

Oophrectomy

26
Q

If a patient is unsuitable for surgery what is the alternative?

A

Radical radiotherapy and cisplatin chemotherapy

27
Q

If the cancer has spread past the cervix how is it treated?

A

Radical radiotherapy and cisplatin chemotherapy

28
Q

Describe the precursor to adenocarcinoma

A

Cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia

Endocervical origin - irregular gland shape lined by atypical cells with dark nuclei and mitotic figures

29
Q

What does cervical adenocarcinoma look like?

A

Glands budding to form more, atypical cellular architecture

30
Q

What are the specific risk factors for adenocarcinoma?

A

Higher SE class, later onset sexual activity, smoking, HPV 18

31
Q

Name some vulvar pathologies

A
Vulval intraepithelial neoplasia 
Vulvar invasive squamous carcinoma 
Vulvar Paget's disease 
Infections - candida, warts
Lichen sclerosis 
Lichen Planes
32
Q

What are the two types of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia?

A

Usual Type

Differentiated

33
Q

Describe VIN of usual type

A

HPV driven, graded I,II,III looks viral and similar to cervical lesions

34
Q

Describe differentiated VIN

A

High grade, not viral driven and risk of malignancy is high

35
Q

What disease can often be in the background to differentiated VIN?

A

Lichen sclerosis

36
Q

What does VIN usually cause in young women?

A

Multifocal, recurrent or persistent disease that can cause treatment problems

37
Q

What does VIN usually cause in older women?

A

Greater risk of progression to invasive squamous carcinoma

38
Q

How does vulvar squamous carcinoma present?

A

Elderly women with ulcer or exophytic mass

39
Q

Where does vulvar squamous carcinoma spread to?

A

Inguinal lymph nodes

40
Q

How is vulvar squamous carcinoma treated?

A

Radical vulvectomy

Inguinal lymphadenectomy

41
Q

What does vulvar squamous carcinoma look like on histology?

A

Irregular invasive nests of tumour with whirls of keratin

42
Q

How does vulvar paget’s disease present?

A

Crusting rash often sharply demarcated that causes itching or pain

43
Q

How is vulvar paget’s treated?

A

Excision

44
Q

What cells are present in primary paget’s?

A

Intraepithelial glandular cells - pluripotent of folliculosebaceous/eccrine unit

45
Q

Name four vaginal pathologies

A

Polyps/cysts
VaIN
Squamous carcinoma
Melanoma