Female GU, Breast, & Gestation Flashcards
Condyloma = warty neoplasm of vulvar skin, often large. Most commonly due to HPV types ___ or ____ and characterized by _______ change. These rarely progress to carcinoma
6; 11; koilocytic
Thinning of epidermis and fibrosis of dermis characterized by leukoplakia with parchment-like vulvar skin; most commonly seen in postmenopausal women
Lichen sclerosis
Lichen sclerosis of the vulva is benign, but associated with slightly increased risk of _______
SCC
Hyperplasia of vulvar squamous epithelium characterized by leukoplakia with thick, leathery vulvar skin; associated with chronic irritation and scratching
Lichen simplex chronicus
T/F: Lichen simplex chronicus is associated with increased risk for SCC
False — lichen simplex chronicus is benign and there is NO increased risk of SCC
Vulvar cancer arises from the squamous epithelium of the vulva and is relatively rare. It presents as leukoplakia, so biopsy may be required to distinguish carcinoma from other causes of this lesion. What are the 2 pathways by which this type of cancer can develop?
HPV-related — types 16, 18, 31, 33 —> Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) [can occur at younger ages]
Non-HPV-related — long-standing lichen sclerosis [typically older age >70]
Disease characterized by malignant epithelial cells in the epidermis of the vulva presenting as erythematous, pruritic, ulcerated skin that represents carcinoma in situ, usually with no underlying carcinoma
Extramammary Paget Disease
[Contrast with Paget disease of the breast which typically represents underlying carcinoma]
Extramammary paget disease of the vulva must be distinguished from melanoma. What cellular markers allow this differentiation?
Paget cells: PAS+, keratin+, and S100-
Melanoma: PAS-, keratin-, S100+
Focal persistence of columnar epithelium in the upper vagina
Adenosis
Adenosis is focal persistence of the columnar epithelium in the upper vagina. There is increased incidence of this condition in females exposed to ______ in utero
DES
[Diethylstilbesterol — also causes increased risk of breast cancer in mom]
Rare complication of DES-associated vaginal adenosis characterized by malignant proliferation of glands with clear cytoplasm (discovery of this and other complications led to cessation of DES usage)
Clear cell adenocarcinoma
Rare, malignant mesenchymal proliferation of immature skeletal muscle presenting as bleeding and grape-like mass protruding from vagina or penis of child, usually <5 yrs of age
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
[aka sarcoma botryoides]
Key cell of rhabdomyosarcoma is rhabdomyoblast, which is characterized by cytoplasmic cross-striations and stains positive for _____ and ______ on immunohistochemistry
Desmin; myogenin
Vaginal carcinoma arises from squamous epithelium lining the vaginal mucosa and is usually related to high-risk HPV. The precursor lesion is vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN).
This type of carcinoma spreads to regional LNs depending on location. Cancer from the lower 1/3 of the vagina goes to the _____ nodes, while cancer from the upper 2/3 goes to the _______ nodes
Inguinal; regional iliac
The cervix is divided into the exocervix and endocervix, what is the difference in their epithelial lining?
Exocervix = squamous epithelium
Endocervix = columnar epithelium
[division between the two is the transformation zone]
HPV is a sexually transmitted DNA virus that infects the lower genital tract, especially the cervix in the transformation zone. Persistent infection leads to risk for CIN. High risk HPV factors E6 and E7 increase destruction of _____ and _____, respectively
p53; Rb
CIN is characterized by ________ change, nuclear atypia, and increased mitotic activity. It is divided into grades based on extent of immature, dysplastic cells. CIN progresses stepwise from I to II to III to carcinoma in situ to invasive carcinoma. This is not inevitable, as up to _______ still has some potential for regression/reversibility.
Koilocytic; CIN III
[Note that carcinoma in-situ has lost potential for reversibility]
Cervical carcinoma is an invasive carcinoma that arises from cervical epithelium, most commonly seen in middle-aged women (age 40-50) and presents as vaginal bleeding. What are some key risk factors for cervical carcinoma?
Key risk factor = HIGH RISK HPV!
Secondary risk factors include SMOKING and IMMUNODEFICIENCY
What are the most common subtypes of cervical carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
[note that BOTH types are related to HPV]
Advanced cervical cancer often invades through what?
Often invades through anterior uterine wall into bladder
[presents as hydronephrosis and post-renal failure — common cause of death in late cervical cancer!]
An abnormal pap smear is followed by confirmatory _____ and ______
Colposcopy; biopsy
2 major limitations of pap smear
Inadequate sampling of transformation zone resulting in false negative screening
Limited efficacy in screening for adenocarcinoma
Quadrivalent vaccine against HPV cover which 4 subtypes?
6, 11, 16, 18
The endometrium is hormonally sensitive and growth is ______ driven. Preparation of the endometrium for implantation is ______-driven. Shedding occurs with loss of _______ support
Estrogen; progesterone; progesterone