Female Reproductive Tract Pathology Part 1 Flashcards
what type of tissue lines the vagina?
squamous mucosal lined space
what type of tissue is the outside dome of the the cervix (ectocervix)?
squamous mucosa
what tissue lines the internal endocervix?
columnar mucosa
what is important about the transition zone?
human papillomavirus causes squamous dysplasia and carcinoma has predilection to this area
Germ cells in the embryo migrate by the 5th or 6th week from the yolk sac to an area comprised of mesoderm called the genital ridge to form the gonads. During the 6th week of gestation what forms?
bilateral ducts form called the Mullerian ducts (aka paramesonephric ducts) and later the bilateral ducts called the Wolffian ducts (aka the mesonephric ducts)
what is the primary driver of anatomic sex?
the SRY or sex determining region on the Y chromosome
What happens if an embryo has an SRY gene?
it will drive the development of the testis which will produce testosterone and Mullerian inhibiting factor, which will drive the creation of male internal and external genitalia while inhibiting the development of female structures
what happens if an embryo lacks an SRY gene?
an ovary will be created, which will produce estrogen driving the creation of the female organs
what do the Mullerian ducts eventually become?
fallopian tubes, uterus, and upper portion of the vagina
Uterine didelphys is caused by what?
the failure of fusion of the mullerian ducts during embryologic development
What is Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome?
Uterine/vaginal absence or underdevelopment due to Mullerian agenesis
what occurs in Mullerian agenesis?
uterine/vaginal absence or underdevelopment
-amenorrhea but normal breast, pubic hair, vulvar development
What is a Bartholin Cyst?
What do they result from?
How do they present?
Bartholin cyst results from obstruction of the duct
Cysts present as a non-tender, unilateral soft mass (3-5 cm) in the posterior aspect of vaginal introitus
if infected (abscess) becomes painful, warm, +/- surrounding edema and cellulitis
what is the most common organism to cause an bartholin abscess?
e. coli
What is Lichen Sclerosus?
inflammatory disorder (with activated T cells) which typically affects the vulvar and anogenital skin
which population of patients does Lichen Sclerosus most commonly affect?
How does it present?
affects all ages, but most common in post-menopausal women
Presents: pruritus, dyspareunia, dysuria, anal discomfort, white plaques on skin
What are patients at increased risk of developing if they have lichen sclerosus?
***Importantly, although lichen sclerosus itself is not a premalignant lesion, with active symptomatic disease, there is an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, particularly squamous cell carcinoma driven by TP53 mutation
What does histology show in a patient with lichen sclerosus?
thinning (atrophy), hyperkeratosis, edematous band, with underlying lymphocytic infiltrate
What is Squamous cell hyperplasia (aka Lichen Simplex Chronicus)?
thickening of the skin due to chronic, habitual rubbing or scratching
What does physical examination show on a patient with lichen simplex chronicus?
thickened, reddened surface which can whiten over time
what is lichen simplex chronicus associated with?
contact dermatitis, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus, or squamous cell carcinoma
How do you make the diagnosis of lichen simplex chronicus?
***it should be noted that biopsy is rarely needed for diagnosis, as the clinical history and physical exam findings are often conclusive
What is Condyloma Acuminatum?
What causes it?
Anogenital warts
caused by HPV
often due to low risk HPV (6, 11)
How does condyloma acuminatum present?
skin colored, exophytic papules and plaques
can be present in the vulvar, perineal, perianal, vaginal, or cervical area
what are the histologic findings of condyloma acuminatum?
hyperplastic papillary projections comprised of squamous cells with parakeratosis
Most vulvar carcinomas are of what type?
squamous cell carcinoma
What categories can squamous cell carcinomas of the vulva be divided into?
- Basaloid/warty SCC
- keratinizing SCC
Both types of SCC of the vulva arise from what?
from a precursor squamous lesion called vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)
The risk of vulvar cancer development depends on not only the duration and extent of disease but also what?
the immune status of the patient
*individuals who are immunosuppressed are much more predisposed to develop invasive carcinoma from a precursor VIN