cOGText: Gynae Oncology Flashcards
The female reproductive system lies within which two areas?
What components are contained within each area?
- Pelvic cavity: ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus and superior part of the vagina
- Perineum: inferior part of the vagina, perineal muscles, Bartholin’s glands, clitoris and labia
levator ani
- The uterus has which three layers?
- It is held in position by a number of strong ligaments, ____ fascia and the muscles of the pelvic floor (e.g. ___ ___).
- It also has a ____ ligament (maintains the uterus in its midline position) and a ____ ligament (is an embryological remnant).
- The uterus is usually positioned how?
- perimetrium, myometrium and endometrium
- endopelvic, lavator ani
- broad, round
- anteverted and anteflexed.
- The fallopian tubes extend on each side of the uterus, within the upper border of the ____ ligament.
- The tube can be divided into which 4 parts?
- The fimbriae open into the ____ cavity.
- The ovaries are almond shaped and are located laterally in the pelvic cavity. ____ is released into the peritoneal cavity to be received by the fimbriae of the uterine tube.
- broad
- isthmus, ampulla, infundibulum, and fimbriae
- peritoneal
- Ovum
- The cervix holds the walls of the vagina apart forming a ____
- The fornix is made up of which 4 parts?
- fornix
- anterior, posterior and two lateral sides
- Most uterine malignancies arise from the _____, the most common being ______.
- Endometrial cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women in the UK, with 90% diagnoses occurring in what group of women?
- endometrium, adenocarcinomas
- post-menopausal
Uterine neoplasia
- Aetiology unknown but high levels of _____ are considered to increase the risk of developing an endometrial malignancy.
- Factors which may increase oestrogen levels in the body include …?
- T/F: therefore, the incidence of endometrial cancer is higher in women who have used the oral contraceptive pill
- oestrogen
- PCOS, late menopause, nulliparity, obesity, unopposed oestrogen HRT, tamoxifen, carbohydrate intolerance and oestrogen-secreting tumours (granulosa/theca cell ovarian tumours).
- false - is in fact lower
Common presenting symptoms of uterine neoplasia?
- Abnormal uterine bleeding (main symptom of endometrial malignancy)
- Vaginal discharge e.g. blood/watery/purulent (less common)
- Pain (rare in early stage, may indicate metastases)
what sort of ‘Abnormal uterine bleeding’ may indicate endometrial malignancy?
- Postmenopausal bleeding is malignancy until proven otherwise
- Any irregular bleeding in premenopausal women over 40 should be investigated, especially if the patient has risk factors
T/F: Spread of endometrial cancer is usually direct
True - and can involve the myometrium, cervix, fallopian tubes, and local tissue.
What are the 4 main investigations for endometrial cancer? (inc. which is first line)
- Trans vaginal ultrasound (usually first line) - measures endometrial thickness in postmenopausal women: smooth, regular endometrium with a thickness <4mm = endometrial malignancy unlikely
- Endometrial biopsy - sample of tissue collected for histological analysis
- Dilatation and curettage - carried out under GA, often combined with hysteroscopy: the cervix is dilated to allow a curette to scrape the endometrium which can then be sent for histological analysis
- Hysteroscopy - allows visualization of the uterine cavity, enabling biopsy/curettage to be performed
Endometrial hyperplasia
- what ees eet
- Usually diagnosed how?
- It may occur due to persistent _____ stimulation
- Presents with abnormal _____
- Can be simple, complex or ____
- Simple hyperplasia without atypia is usually seen in what groups of women?
- Atypical hyperplasia can progress to endometrial _____
- ______ is a treatment used for hyperplasia in young women
- Due to its delivery of progesterone to the endometrium, which device is often a treatment used in premenopausal women
- In atypical hyperplasia, _____ is recommended
- Increased number of endometrial cells leading to a thick endometrium
- by biopsy: histologically there is an increase in the gland-to-stromal ratio
- oestrogen
- bleeding
- atypical
- anovulatory teenagers and perimenopausal women
- carcinoma
- Progestogens
- the Mirena intrauterine devic
- hysterectomy
Endometrial carcinoma
- Peak incidence ____ years
- Usually what kind?
- Macroscopic appearance?
- Variety of histological appearances - including?
- How does it spread?
6.
- 50-60
- adenocarcinoma
- large uterus, polypoid
- Purely glandular, Areas of squamous differentiation, Papillary, Clear cell pattern
- Usually direct into the myometrium and cervix. Hematogenous or lymphatic spread can occur. Prognosis is related to stage
name the 2 types of endometrial cancer
which is more common?
Type I (Endometrioid) - most common (80%)
Type II (serous, and clear cell)
Endometrial cancer Type I (Endometrioid)
- most common (__%)
- usually diagnosed shortly after ____
- It is _____ dependent
- T/F: is often diagnosed at an early stage
- Precursor lesion?
- Associated with which mutations?
- Microsatellite instability – germline mutation of mismatch repair genes (____ syndrome)
- 80
- the menopause
- oestrogen
- true
- atypical hyperplasia
- PTEN, KRAS, PIK3CA
- Lynch
Endometrial cancer type II (serous, and clear cell)
- Usually observed in YOUNGER/ OLDER women and has a much BETTER/ POORER prognosis
- T/F: it is not associated with unopposed oestrogen
- Associated mutation?
- Precursor lesion?
- Spreads how?
- Histologically serous carcinoma is characterised by a complex ____ and/or _____ architecture with diffuse, marked nuclear pleomorphism
- T/F: usually requires more extensive surgery than Type 1
- older, poorer (as it is more aggressive and develops much more rapidly)
- true
- TP53
- serous endometrial intraepithelial carcinomas
- along fallopian tube mucosa and peritoneal surfaces so may present with extrauterine disease
- papillary, glandular
- true - and adjuvant chemo/radiotherapy is used more frequently
Endometrial sarcoma (rare)
- Arises from endometrial ____
- Risk of metastasis and prognosis?
- ____ is most important prognostic factor
- stroma
- Locally aggressive and metastasizes early. Initial presentation may be as metastasis (lung or ovary). Poor prognosis
- Stage