Gastro - Pathology Part 1 Flashcards
What is the name of the classical appearance found in a barium enema x-ray of a patient with colorectal cancer?
Apple core lesion
Salivary gland tumors are generally _____ (benign/malignant).
Benign
Where is the most common location for a salivary gland tumor?
Parotid gland
A patient presents with a painless, movable mass in a salivary gland. The mass is removed and found to be benign. It later recurs. What type of tumor is it?
Pleomorphic adenoma
Name the benign tumor composed of heterotopic salivary gland tissue trapped in a lymph node, surrounded by lymphatic tissue.
Warthin’s tumor
What is the most common malignant salivary gland tumor?
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma
Achalasia results from the failure of what process to occur?
Relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter
In patients with achalasia, the lower esophageal sphincter cannot relax as a result of the loss of what source of innervation?
The myenteric (Auerbach’s) plexus
What is the most common presenting symptom of achalasia?
Dysphagia
In patients with achalasia, what test yields a classic diagnostic image?
Barium swallow
Describe the findings of achalasia on barium swallow.
Bird’s beak appearance: dilated proximal esophagus with tapering at the lower esophageal sphincter
Achalasia is associated with an increased risk of what malignancy?
Esophageal carcinoma
Secondary achalasia can result from what parasitic disease endemic to South America?
Chagas’ disease
What is the underlying pathophysiology of dysphagia associated with CREST?
There is esophageal dysmotility (poor peristalsis) and low esophageal pressure proximal to the lower esophageal sphincter
A patient with a history of asthma presents with a nonproductive cough and chest pain that is not associated with activity. It is worse with recumbency and is not relieved by inhalers or nitroglycerin. What is the likely diagnosis?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
An alcoholic is brought into the emergency department vomiting copious amounts of blood. The condition this patient likely has causes painless bleeding from which vessels?
Submucosal veins in the lower one third of the esophagus, forming varices
A 45-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with a five-hour history of vomiting and retching. In the last hour, her vomitus was bloody and painful. What is the likely cause of her hematemesis?
Mallory-Weiss tears
A patient presents with chest pain after severe vomiting and is found to have substernal crepitus. What is the diagnosis?
Boerhaave syndrome (remember: “been-heaving syndrome”)
Ingestion of what compound classically causes esophageal strictures?
Lye; strictures are also seen with gastroesophageal reflux disease
Esophagitis is commonly associated with what three etiologies?
Reflux, infection, or chemical ingestion
Which three infectious agents can cause esophagitis?
Herpes simplex virus type 1, cytomegalovirus, and Candida
Plummer-Vinson syndrome has a triad of what symptoms?
Dysphagia due to esophageal webs, glossitis, and iron deficiency anemia
A patient is having difficulty swallowing. He has a swollen, tender tongue that appears smooth. Laboratory tests reveal iron deficiency anemia. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Plummer-Vinson syndrome
Is Barrett’s esophagus an example of glandular dysplasia, hyperplasia, neoplasia, or metaplasia?
Metaplasia
In patients with Barrett’s esophagus, there is a replacement of _____ _____ epithelium with _____ epithelium.
Nonkeratinized squamous; intestinal (columnar)
What causes Barrett’s esophagus?
Chronic acid reflux resulting in epithelial metaplasia
What specific malignancy is associated with Barrett’s esophagus?
Adenocarcinoma (remember: BARRett’s = Becomes Adenocarcinoma, Results from Reflux)
What are two behavioral risk factors for esophageal cancer?
Alcohol use and cigarette use
List four pathologic states of the esophagus that are risk factors for esophageal cancer.
Barrett’s esophagus, diverticuli, esophagitis, achalasia, and esophageal webs
In the United States, which type of esophageal cancer is most common?
Squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus have a roughly equal incidence
Worldwide, which type of esophageal cancer is most common?
Squamous cell carcinoma is most common
Squamous cell carcinoma is most common in which section(s) of the esophagus?
Upper and middle one third
Adenocarcinoma is most common in which section(s) of the esophagus?
Lower one third
What is a common history associated with esophageal cancer?
Progressive dysphagia that starts with dysphagia for solids and eventually includes liquids; also associated with weight loss, as is usually the case with malignancies
What symptoms are often associated with malabsorption syndromes?
Diarrhoea, steatorrhea, weight loss, weakness
List six examples of underlying etiologies for malabsorption syndromes.
Celiac sprue, tropical sprue, Whipple’s disease, disaccharidase deficiency, pancreatic insufficiency, and abetalipoproteinemia
Patients with celiac sprue develop autoantibodies to what substance?
Gluten (gliadin)
Celiac sprue primarily affects what part of the bowel?
Proximal small bowel
Tropical sprue can be treated with which class of drugs?
Antibiotics
Which section(s) of the gastrointestinal tract can be affected by tropical sprue?
The entire small bowel
What organism causes Whipple’s disease?
Tropheryma whippelii
The classic macrophages seen in Whipple’s disease stain positive with what stain? Where are they located?
Periodic acid-Schiff stain; the intestinal lamina propria and the mesenteric nodes
What nongastrointestinal symptoms are associated with Whipple’s disease?
Arthralgias as well as cardiac and neurological symptoms
The most common disaccharidase deficiency involves what disaccharidase?
Lactase
Are the villi in lactase deficiency normal or abnormal in appearance?
Normal; as opposed to celiac disease in which villi are blunted
What type of diarrhea is associated with disaccharidase deficiency?
Osmotic diarrhea
True or False? Self-limited lactase deficiency can occur following bowel damage from viral diarrhea.
True; lactase is located at the tips of intestinal villi, making it vulnerable to damage
What are three common causes of pancreatic insufficiency?
Cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, obstructing cancer
Pancreatic insufficiency causes the malabsorption of which macronutrient(s)?
Fat
Pancreatic insufficiency causes the malabsorption of which vitamins?
Vitamins A, D, E, and K
What is the pathophysiology of abetalipoproteinemia?
Decreased apolipoprotein B leads to decreased level of chylomicrons, which leads to decreased cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein in blood stream and accumulations of fat in enterocytes
What is the most common presentation for abetalipoproteinemia?
It usually presents in childhood with failure to thrive (malabsorption) and neurologic manifestations
Define celiac sprue.
Autoimmune damage to the small intestine caused by sensitivity to gluten, which damages the villi resulting in a decreased absorption surface; patient can present with vitamin deficiencies and steatorrhea due to decreased fat absorption
What region of the gastrointestinal tract is most affected by celiac sprue?
The jejunum
A patient presents with voluminous diarrhoea and a diffuse rash on his extensor surfaces; restriction of wheat resolves his diarrhoea and rash. What is the diagnosis of his rash?
Dermatitis herpetiformis resulting from celiac disease
Celiac sprue is associated with what type of malignancy?
T-lymphocyte lymphomas
What are two histological findings for celiac sprue?
Blunting of villi and the presence of lymphocytes in the lamina propria
What serum test is used to screen for celiac sprue?
Serum levels of antitissue transglutaminase antibodies; antigliadin antibodies are also seen in celiac disease
Why does celiac disease result in a malabsorption syndrome?
Antibodies destroy jejunal villi, decreasing absorption and causing diarrhea
_____ (Acute/chronic) gastritis is erosive, whereas _____ (acute/chronic) gastritis is nonerosive.
Acute; chronic
What are the two types of chronic gastritis?
Type A (in the fundus or body of the stomach) and type B (in the antrum)
Where does type A chronic gastritis occur?
Fundus/body
Where does type B chronic gastritis occur?
Antrum
List six causes of acute gastritis.
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, alcohol, stress, uricemia, burns, and brain injury
What is the name for the acute gastritis that occurs in patients with severe burns?
Curling’s ulcer (remember: Burned by the Curling iron)
Cushing’s ulcer refers to the situation in which _____ _____ leads to acute gastritis.
Brain injury (remember: Always Cushion the brain)
Etiologically, type A (fundal) gastritis is best grouped in what category of diseases?
Autoimmune diseases
In type A (fundal) gastritis, there are autoantibodies to what?
Parietal cells
Type A (fundal) gastritis is characterized by what two pathologic states?
Pernicious anemia and achlorhydria (remember: AB pairing—pernicious Anemia affects gastric body)
Etiologically, type B (antral) gastritis is best grouped within what category of diseases?
Infectious diseases
Type B (antral) gastritis is caused by infection with what organism?
Helicobacter pylori
True or False? Acute gastritis carries an increased risk of gastric carcinoma.
False; chronic gastritis increases the risk of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis, controlled by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, complains of dull stomach pain and is found to be anemic. What is the likely diagnosis and pathophysiology?
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs decrease prostaglandin E2 production, which, in turn, decreases gastric mucosa production. The resulting erosive gastritis can cause mild anemia through occult blood loss
By what mechanism do severe burns cause acute gastritis?
Curling’s ulcers cause a decrease in plasma volume, leading to a sloughing of gastric mucosa
How can brain injury lead to increased risk of gastric cancer?
Cushing’s ulcers cause an increase in vagal stimulation, causing increased acetylcholine, in turn increasing acid production by parietal cells
A 45-year-old patient with a history of Graves’s disease is found to be anemic and has an elevated mean red blood cell volume. She takes iron supplements daily and is no longer menstruating. What is the likely diagnosis?
Pernicious anemia caused by autoantibodies against parietal cells
What are the endoscopic findings associated with Ménétrier’s disease?
Massively enlarged gastric rugae
True or False? Ménétrier’s disease is a precancerous condition.
True
A patient undergoes endoscopy, which reveals a thickened gastric lining. Gastric biopsy reveals increased mucous cells and parietal cell atrophy. What condition does this patient likely have?
Ménétrier’s disease
What is the most common histological subtype of stomach cancer?
Adenocarcinoma