Clinical Care of the Obstetric and Gynecologic Conditions Flashcards
Painful breast masses that are often multiple and bilateral are caused by what?
Fibrocystic changes.
Pain from fibrocystic breast changes typically worsens during what phase of the cycle?
Premenstrual phase
What hormone is the causative factor of rapid fluctuation in fibrocystic mass size?
Estrogen
*Increased risk in alcohol consumption
This is the most frequent lesion of the breast that typically occurs between ages 30-50, and is typically considered to increase the risk of missing a cancer diagnosis.
Fibrocystic changes
Signs and symptoms of fibrocystic changes
Breast pain or tenderness
Discomfort that worsens during premenstrual phase as cysts enlarge
Fluctuation in size of masses
Multiple or bilateral masses
Absence of lymphadenopathy
Ultrasound should be used alone to diagnose fibrocystic changes in patients under what age?
30
What is the diagnostic test for fibrocystic changes?
Core needle biopsy
What is the treatment of fibrocystic changes?
NSAIDs
Refer to primary care for increased pain symptoms.
How do you educate a patient with fibrocystic changes?
Avoid trauma
Wear supportive bras night and day
Decrease dietary fat and eliminate caffeine
400iu of vitamin E daily
Monthly self breast exams just after menstruation because the risk of not detecting cancer is higher.
This is a common benign neoplasm that occurs most frequently in young women, usually 20 years after puberty and more frequently in black women.
Fibroadenoma
Signs and symptoms of fibroadenoma
Round or ovoid, rubbery mass with discrete margins (defined borders) that is relatively moveable and nontender, 1-5cm in diameter.
How do you treat fibroadenoma?
Referral to general surgery and biopsy. No treatment is typically necessary.
*An excision may be necessary for large or rapidly growing fibroadenomas (3-4cm)
This condition appears as a lesion of the breast that produces a mass often accompanied by skin or nipple retraction.
Fat necrosis
*Ecchymosis is usually present.
What are the typical causes of fat necrosis?
Fat injections for breast augmentations.
Trauma (MVA, assault)
Common after segmental resection, radiation therapy, or flap reconstruction after mastectomy.
This is the second most common cause of cancer in women, and the second leading cause of cancer death.
Female breast carcinoma.
What are the risk factors of female breast carcinoma?
Age
-Most significant factor
-Risk rises rapidly until 60s, peaks in 70s, then declines
Family history of breast or ovarian cancer
-Parent, sibling or child
-Especially bilateral breast cancer or premenopausal
Genetics
-BRCA 1 and 2
Reproductive history
-Nulliparous or late first pregnancy after age 30
-Unapposed estrogen is the cause ***
Menstrual history
-Early menarche <12
-Late menopause >55
Previous medical history
-Endometrial cancer
-Cancer in the other breast
What is the most reliable method of detecting non-palpable breast cancer, and how early can it identify it?
Mammography
At least 2 years before the cancer is palpable.
What are the breast cancer screening timing and frequency recommendations?
Age <40
-Not recommended
Age 40-49
-Shared decision making
-If initiating, suggest screening every 2 years
Age 50-74
-Recommend every 2 years, unless otherwise indicated
Age 75+
-Only if life expectancy is >10 years
What are the symptoms of female breast carcinoma?
Painless lump that is typically discovered by the patient
Breast pain, nipple discharge, nipple abnormalities, breast abnormalities (redness, hardness, enlargement or shrinking)
Axillary mass or swelling, back or joint pain, jaundice, weight loss
What are the physical exam findings of female breast carcinoma?
Early:
-Single, nontender, firm to hard mass with ill defined margins
-Mammogram abnormalities and non-palpable mass
Late:
-Skin or nipple retraction
-Axillary lymphadenopathy
-Breast enlargement, erythema, edema and pain
-Fixation of mass to skin or chest wall
What are the laboratory findings of a patient with female breast carcinoma?
Increased alkaline phosphatase caused by liver or bone metastases.
Increased serum calcium caused by bone metastases.
What is the treatment of female breast carcinoma?
General surgery referral, and depending upon the stage of cancer:
-Surgical resection with axillary node dissection (mastectomy or partial mastectomy)
-Radiation
-Systemic therapy
Local and distant female breast carcinoma recurrences occur most frequently within what time frame?
Patients should be examined how often?
Recurrences most frequently within the first 2-5 years.
During the first 2 years, most patients should be examined every 6 months, then annually thereafter.
What are the general considerations of male breast carcinoma?
It is rare.
Average age is 70.
Increased occurrence in men with prostrate cancer.
First degree relatives of men with breast cancer are at high risk.
BRCA 2 mutation are common.
Prognosis is worse in men.
Signs and symptoms of male breast carcinoma.
Painless lump with or without nipple discharge, retraction, ulceration or erosion
Hard, ill-defined, nontender mass beneath the nipple or stroll
Gynecomastia
Treatment of male breast carcinoma
General surgery referral
Modified radical mastectomy
Radiation
Systemic therapy
Bloody, unilateral nipple discharge is typically due to what?
Carcinoma
Serous nipple discharge is usually due to what?
Benign fibrocystic changes like duct ectasia
What condition can cause milky discharge in a non-lactating woman? What kinds of labs should you draw when evaluating this patient?
Hyperprolactinemia
Serum prolactin levels to rule out pituitary tumor
TSH to rule out hypothyroidism
What class of medications can elevate prolactin levels and cause lactation in men and women?
Antipsychotics
What type of medications can cause clear, serous or milky nipple discharge?
Oral contraceptives or estrogen replacement
A breast abscess may produce what kind of discharge?
Purulent
What is the mean amount of blood loss per cycle?
40mL
Define menorrhagia
Blood loss over 80mL
Define metrorrhagia
Bleeding between periods
Define polymenorrhea
Bleeding that occurs more often than every 21 days.
Define oligomenorrhea.
Bleeding that occurs less frequently than every 35 days.
What are the descriptive terms to denote menstrual bleeding patterns?
Light
Heavy
Menstrual
Intermenstrual
What is PALM-COEIN?
A pneumonic to remember the etiologies of abnormal uterine bleeding. “PALM” are structural in nature.
-Polyp
-Adenomyosis
-Leiomyoma
-Malignancy
-Coagulopathy
-Ovulatory dysfunction most common
-Endometrial
-Iatrogenic
-Not yet classified
What is typically the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding in adolescents?
Anovulation (not yet ovulating)
Considered normal.
Ovulatory dysfunction is the most common cause of anovulation/AUB at what stage of a woman’s life?
When regular menses is established.
AUB in patients 19-39 is often the result of what condition?
Pregnancy
Signs and symptoms of abnormal uterine bleeding.
Painful menstrual cramping.
Spotting.
Signs of anemia.
Diagnosis of AUB is based upon what factors?
History of duration and amount of menstrual flow, associated pain, and relationship to last menstrual period
History of pertinent illnesses such as systemic infections or significant physical or emotional stressors.
A history of what medications is useful in the diagnosis of AUB?
Warfarin
Heparin
Exogenous hormones
*A history of coagulation disorders is also useful
What imaging is useful in the diagnosis of AUB?
Transvaginal ultrasound
-Intrauterine or ectopic pregnancy
-Adnexal or uterine masses
-Endometrial thickness
Sonobysterography or hysterography
How is AUB-O (anovulation) treated?
Hormonally with progestin to oppose estrogen
NSAIDs at normal doses to reduce amount of blood loss
Post menopausal bleeding is defined as vaginal bleeding that occurs how long after cessation of the menstrual cycle?
6 months or more after menopause.
Must have a high suspicion of cancer. Transvaginal ultrasound measurement of the endometrium is an important tool for diagnosis.
This condition is a recurrent variable cluster of troublesome physical and emotional symptoms that develop during the 5 days before onset of menses and subsides within 4 days after menstruation occurs.
Premenstrual syndrome
What is Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder?
When emotional or mood symptoms and physical symptoms cause clear functional impairment of work or personal relationships. Typically a complication of PMS.
What is the work up of a patient with PMS/PMDD?
Emotional and physical support to include explanation of issue and reassurance.
Instruct patient to keep a daily diary of all symptoms for 2-3 months to include severity, timing, and characteristics of symptoms.
*If symptoms occur throughout the month (rather than during menses) than she may have depression or behavioral health conditions in addition to PMS/PMDD.
How can you medically treat PMS/PMDD?
Combined oral contraceptives
-Depo-Provera
-Nexplanon
SSRIs can be given for predominating mood symptoms (tension, irritability, dysphoria)
Vaginitis can result from what agents?
Pathogens
Allergic reactions
Vaginal atrophy
Friction during sex
What history should be taken on a patient complaining of vaginitis?
Onset of last menstrual period
Recent sexual activity and any latex products or lubricants used
Use of contraceptives, tampons or douches
Recent changes in medications or antibiotic use
Your patient presents with vaginal irritation or pruritus, pain, and an unusual malodorous vaginal discharge.
Bimanual exam reveals pelvic inflammation, cervical motion tenderness and adnexa tenderness.
What is the diagnosis?
Vaginitis
This type of vaginitis produces an itchy, white “curd-like” discharge. What is it known as, and what are some causative factors?
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis
Pregnancy, diabetes, broad spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroid use.
Heat, moisture, and occlusive clothing.
This type of vaginitis causes pruritus and a malodorous frothy, yellow-green discharge along with diffuse vaginal erythema. Red macular lesions on the cervix called “strawberry cervix” are also common.
What is the diagnosis, and how is it transmitted?
Trichomonas Vaginalis Vaginitis.
A sexually transmitted protozoal flagellate that infects the vagina, scene ducts, and lower urinary tract.
This vaginitis is a chronic polymicrobial disease called ____, typically caused by an overgrowth of what agents?
Bacterial Vaginosis
Gardnerella or other anaerobes
Patient will present with increased malodorous discharge without obvious vulvitis or vaginitis.
What is the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis?
Fluconazole (antifungal)
-Single 150mg dose
*Torsades is a common adverse effect that should be considered.
What is the treatment for Trichmonas Vaginalis Vaginitis?
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
-2g PO x 1 OR 500mg BID x 7 days
Recommended to treat both partners.
What is the treatment of bacterial vaginitis?
Metronidazole
Clindamycin vaginal cream
Metronidazole gel