Gastroeneterology Flashcards
What is the secondary prophylaxis of Hepatic encephalopathy?
Lactulose and rifaximin
What is the first-line management for hepatic encephalopathy?
Lactulose
What are the features of autoimmune hepatitis?
Present with signs of chronic liver disease
Acute hepatitis: Fever, jaundice
Amenorrhoea
ANA/SMA/LKM1 antibodies, raised IgG levels
What is the management of autoimmune hepatitis?
Steroids
Immunosuppressants - Azathioprine
What autoantibodies are associated with type autoimmune hepatitis?
Anti-nuclear (ANA)
Anti-smooth muscle (SMA)
What screening investigation is performed in haemochromatosis?
Transferrin saturation
What is the presentation of haemochromatosis?
Bronze tint of the skin
Chondrocalcinosis of the finger joints
Raised glucose
Liver disease
Which gene is associated with haemochromatosis?
HFE gene
What is the typical iron study profile in a patient with haemochromatosis?
Transferrin saturation raised
Raised ferritin
Low TIBC
What is the first-line management of haemochromatosis?
Venesection is the first-line management
Desferrioxamine is second line
Which criteria is used in the diagnosis of IBS?
Rome criteria
What is the presentation of IBS?
altered stool passage (straining, urgency, incomplete evacuation) abdominal bloating (more common in women than men), distension, tension or hardness symptoms made worse by eating passage of mucus
What is the Rome IV diagnostic criteria for IBS?
Recurrent abdominal pain for >3 months with 2 of the following:
1) Related to defecation
2) Associated with a change in frequency of the stool
3) Associated with a change in form (appearance)
What medication is used to induce remission in Crohn’s disease?
Prednisolone
What are the presenting features of oesophageal varices?
Usually a large volume of fresh blood. Swallowed blood may cause melena. Often associated with haemodynamic compromise. May stop spontaneously but re-bleeds are common until appropriately managed.
What are the presenting features of a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Typically brisk small to moderate volume of bright red blood following a bout of repeated vomiting. Malena rare. Usually ceases spontaneously.
What is the management of variceal bleeding?
terlipressin and prophylactic antibiotics should be given to patients at presentation (i.e. before endoscopy)
band ligation should be used for oesophageal varices and injections of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate for patients with gastric varices
transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) should be offered if bleeding from varices is not controlled with the above measures
What is Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome?
Numerous hamartomatous polyps in the GI tract
Pigmented freckles on he lips, face, palms and soles
Intestinal obstruction
GI bleeding
What is the investigation of choice for suspected perianal fistulae in Crohn’s?
MRI pelvis
What is administered to induce remission in a severe acute exacerbation of UC?
Intravenous corticosteroids
Per the Truelove and Witt’s criteria how many bowel motions is associated with severe UC?
> 6 bowel motions a day with blood and fever
What drug is used to maintain remission in UC?
Methotrexate
What is administered to induce remission in moderate-mild flares of UC?
Oral corticosteroid
Oral or topical Sulfalazine
Melanosis coli is associated with what?
Associated with laxative abuse (Senna)
What is the presentation of melanosis coli on histology?
Disorder of pigmentation of the bowel wall, histology demonstrates pigment-laden macrophages
What complication of UC is associated with cholestasis?
Primary sclerosing cholangitis
Isoniazid therapy can cause what type of vitamin deficiency?
B6 deficiency causing peripheral neuropathy
What is the first-line investigation of Budd-Chiari syndrome?
Ultrasound with Doppler flow studies
What is GORD?
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease is defined as the inflammation of the oesophageal lining due to the reflux of gastric contents into the oesophagus and oral cavity.
What is the pathophysiology of GORD?
- Increased frequency of transient lower oesophageal sphincter relaxation.
- Decreased resting LOS pressure
- Reduced saliva production (Xerostomia) – disturbs pH clearance leading to increased irritation of mucosal oesophageal lining.
- Abnormal peristalsis Reduced volume clearance.
What is the definition of a sliding hiatal hernia?
In a sliding hiatal hernia, the stomach is distended through the diaphragm superiorly, increasing gastric acid reflux into the distal oesophagus and gastroesophageal junction.
What is the definition of a rolling hiatus hernia?
In a rolling hiatus hernia, the gastroesophageal junction is intact, the herniated portion of the stomach is alongside the oesophagus.
• Surgical emergency because the stomach can become ischaemic.
• Barium swallow shows barium in the fundus of the stomach superior to the diaphragm.
What is the presentation fo GORD?
Heart-burn - Post-prandial burning sensation in the chest
Aggravated by:
- Lying supine
- Bending
- Large meals
- Drinking alcohol
Waterbrash
Aspiration
Dysphagia
What is waterbrash?
Regurgitation of an excessive accumulation of saliva from the lower part of the oesophagus
What are the symptoms of aspiration pneumonia?
Hoarseness, laryngitis, nocturnal cough, and wheee
What are the investigations for GORD?
Clinical diagnosis
OGD & biopsy
24-48 ambulatory pH monitoring
Oesophageal manometry
Barium swallow
What is the first-line management for GORD?
20mg PPI (Omeprazole) for initial course of 8 weeks
What are the surgical management for GORD?
- Dilatation peptic strictures
* Laparoscopic Nissen’s fundoplication.
What lifestyle changes are made for GORD?
o Weight loss o Elevating head of bed o Avoiding provoking factors o Smoking cessations o Lower fat meals and avoiding large meals in the evening.
What are the two types of oesophageal cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
What cell type is implicated in adenocarcinoma?
Columnar glandular epithelium
Which type of oesophageal cancer is more prevalent in developing countries?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Which type of oesophageal cancer is more prevalent in the Western world?
Adenocarcinoma
What are the risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma?
Alcohol Tumour Plummer-Vinson syndrome Achalasia Scleroderma Coeliac disease Nutritional deficiencies Dietary toxins (e.g., nitrosamines – cured meats, pickles)
What are the risk factors for adenocarcinoma?
GORD
Barrett’s oesophagus
What is the most common presenting complaint for oesophageal cancer?
Dysphagia
How does dysphagia present in oesophageal cancer?
Dysphagia for solids progressing to liquids.
What is the presentation for oesophageal cancer?
Odynophagia- Pain on swallowing
Weight loss
Hoarseness - Upper oesophageal tumous can impinge the recurrent laryngeal nerve
Dysphagia
Regurtiation
Cough
Fatigue
What are the metastatic signs in oesophageal cancer?
Supraclavicular lymphadenopathy
Hepatomegaly
Hoarseness
Signs of broncopulmonary involvement
What is the first-line investigation for Oesophageal cancer?
OGD with biopsy
What is the most common site of squamous cell carcinomas within the oesophagus?
Upper two-thirds of the oesophagus
What is the most common site of adenocarcinomas within the oesophagus?
Lower 1/3 of oesophagus
What is the preferred modality for regional staging of oesophageal cancer?
Endoscopic ultrasound
What radiological modality is used to stage oesophageal cancer?
CT chest and abdomen
What is the definitive management for stage 0 or initial stage oesophageal cancers?
Endoscopic resection w/wo mucosal ablation (radiofrequency)
Oesophagectomy
What type of oesophagectomy is performed in the management of oesopahgeal cancer?
Ivor-Lewis type oesophagectomy
Define acute cholangitis?
Acute cholangitis is an infection of the biliary tree
What is the aetiology of acute cholangitis?
Due to obstruction of the gallbladder or bile duct due to gall stones
- ERCP
- Tumours
- Bile duct strictures or stenosis
- Parasitic infection
What type of bacteria is associated with ascending cholangitis?
Enteric bacteria - E.coli, Klebsiella, Entercoccous
What is the presentation of ascending cholangitis?
Charcot’s triad of symptoms
- RUQ pain and tenderness
- Jaundice
- Fever with rigors
Pruritus
Pale stools
What is Charcot’s triad?
RUQ pain and tenderness
Jaundice
Fever
What is Reynold’s Pentad?
Mental confusion Septic shock-hypotension -RUQ pain -Jaundice -Fever
What is the first-line diagnostic investigation for ascending cholangitis?
Abdominal ultrasound - stones and dilatation of the common bile duct
What blood test findings are seen in ascending cholangitis?
Raised inflammatory markers - CRP/ESR
-LFTs - Hyperbillurubinaemia, raised serum transaminases, and alkaline phosphatase
What is the first-line management for ascending cholangitis?
Intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics + rehydration using saline bolus fluid
What is the definitive management for ascending cholangitis?
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after 24-48 hours to relieve any obstruction
Cholecystectomy is there are underlying gallstones
What is acute cholecystitis?
Inflammation of the gallbladder predominantly due to an impacted gallstone obstruction within the cystic duct or gallbladder neck
-Bile stasis and mucous production can result in gallbladder distension
What is the presentation of acute cholecystitis?
Constant RUQ pain Tenderness in RUQ Palpable mass Fever Nausea Right shoulder tip pain Localised peritonism
Guarding
Rebound tenderness
Murphy’s sign positive
What is Murphy’s sign positive?
Right hypochondrial tenderness worsens on inspiration.
What is the gold-standard investigation for acute cholecystitis?
Abdominal ultrasound of the biliary tree
What does an abdominal ultrasound reveal in acute cholecystitis?
- Pericholecystic fluid
- Distended gallbladder
- Thickened gallbladder wall (>3mm)
- Gallstones
- Positive sonographic Murphy’s Sign
What does an FBC reveal in acute cholecystitis?
Neutrophilia
And moderate leucocytosis
Deranged LFTs in acute cholecystitis may suggest what?
Deranged LFTs may indicate Mirizzi syndrome - a gallstone impacted in the distal cystic duct causing extrinsic compression of the common bile duct
What is the definitive management for acute cholecystitis?
Cholecystectomy
+ Conservative management - ABx
What is the presentation of biliary colic?
colicky right upper quadrant abdominal pain
worse postprandially, worse after fatty foods
the pain may radiate to the right shoulder/interscapular region
nausea and vomiting are common
in contrast to other gallstone-related conditions, in biliary colic there is no fever and liver function tests/inflammatory markers are normal
Where does biliary colic pain radiate to?
Right scapula
What can exacerbate biliary colic pain?
Precipitated by a fatty meal
What are the main risk factors for biliary colic?
Fat: obesity is thought to be a risk factor due to enhanced cholesterol synthesis and secretion
Female: gallstones are 2-3 times more common in women. Oestrogen increases activity of HMG-CoA reductase
Fertile: pregnancy is a risk factor
Forty
What is the pathophysiology of biliary colic?
occur due to ↑ cholesterol, ↓ bile salts and biliary stasis
the pain occurs due to the gallbladder contracting against a stone lodged in the cystic duct
What is the gold-standard investigation for biliary colic?
Abdominal ultrasound
What is the definitive management for biliary colic?
Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy
What is cirrhosis?
A condition in which the liver responds to hepatocyte injury/death by replacing damaged hepatic parenchyma with fibrous tissue and nodules.
What are the risk factors for cirrhosis?
- Chronic alcohol use
- Hepatitis C infection
- Chronic hepatitis B infection
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Hereditary haemochromatosis
- Wilson disease
- Alpha 1-anittrypsin deficiency
- Intravenous drug use
- Other: Unprotected intercourse, obesity, and blood transfusion.
What is the presentation of cirrhosis?
Abdominal distension due to ascites in portal hypertension
Jaundice and pruritus - Decompensated cirrhosis secondary to reduced hepatic excretion of conjugated BR.
Haematemesis and melaena
• Hand and nail features: Leukonychia, palmar erythema, and spider naevi.
- Leukonychia (white nails) – Secondary to hypoalbuminemia
- Polished nails – Secondary to excessive scratching in pruritus
- Palmar erythema – Redness of thenar and hypothenar eminences,
- Spider naevi – Blanch on pressure and spider-like branches fill from a central arteriole.
- Bruising, finger clubbing and cholesterol deposits in palmar creases in primary biliary cholangitis.
- Dupuytren contracture in alcohol-related liver disease
• Facial features:
- Spider naevi – Blanch on pressure and spider-like branches fill from a central arteriole.
- Telangiectasia – Red focal lesions resulting from irreversible dilatation of small blood vessels in the skin.
- Bruising, rhinophyma, parotid gland swelling
- Red tongue in alcohol-related liver disease.
- Seborrheic dermatitis, jaundiced sclera and xanthelasma.
• Abdominal features
- Caput medusa – Collateral circulation of the abdominal wall around the umbilicus.
- Bruising
- Hepatomegaly
- Splenomegaly
- Abdominal distension – Particularly in the flanks with shifting dullness and fluid thrill secondary to ascites.
- Hepatic bruit – Present with a vascular hepatoma
- Loss of secondary sexual hair and testicular atrophy in men.
What facial features are seen in decompensated cirrhosis?
- Spider naevi – Blanch on pressure and spider-like branches fill from a central arteriole.
- Telangiectasia – Red focal lesions resulting from irreversible dilatation of small blood vessels in the skin.
- Bruising, rhinophyma, parotid gland swelling
- Red tongue in alcohol-related liver disease.
- Seborrheic dermatitis, jaundiced sclera and xanthelasma.
What abdominal features are seen in decompensated cirrhosis?
- Caput medusa – Collateral circulation of the abdominal wall around the umbilicus.
- Bruising
- Hepatomegaly
- Splenomegaly
- Abdominal distension – Particularly in the flanks with shifting dullness and fluid thrill secondary to ascites.
- Hepatic bruit – Present with a vascular hepatoma
- Loss of secondary sexual hair and testicular atrophy in men.
What hand and nail features are seen in decompensated cirrhosis?
• Hand and nail features: Leukonychia, palmar erythema, and spider naevi.
- Leukonychia (white nails) – Secondary to hypoalbuminemia
- Polished nails – Secondary to excessive scratching in pruritus
- Palmar erythema – Redness of thenar and hypothenar eminences,
- Spider naevi – Blanch on pressure and spider-like branches fill from a central arteriole.
- Bruising, finger clubbing and cholesterol deposits in palmar creases in primary biliary cholangitis.
- Dupuytren contracture in alcohol-related liver disease.
What is hepatic fetor?
Sweet putrid smell of the breath
What are the LFT findings in cirrhosis?
AST and ALT levels increase with hepatocellular damage
- Raised BR
- GGT elevated
- Reduced albumin
- Reduced serum sodium
What is the definitive investigation for cirrhosis?
Liver biopsy
What does a liver biopsy reveal in cirrhosis?
Most specific and sensitive test for diagnosis of cirrhosis.
- Result: Architectural distortion of the liver parenchyma with formation of regenerative nodules.
What are the coagulation study findings in decompensated liver cirrhosis?
Prolonged prothrombin time
Reduced platelet count - Thrombocytopenia
INR
What should be performed if ascites is present?
Peritoneal tap for microscopy and culture to identify for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
What investigation is performed in NAFLD?
Transient elastrography
What scoring criteria is used in liver disease to assess the severity of cirrhosis?
Child-Pugh Score?
What parameters are assessed in the Child-pugh score?
Bilirubin (umol/l) Albumin (g/l) Prothrombin time (seconds prolonged) Encephalopathy Ascites
What is SBP?
• Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) – An ascitic tap with neutrophils >250mm3 indicates SBP. Patients with a low ascitic albumin are especially at risk Treated with prophylactic antibiotics.
Why do oesophageal varices occur?
Portal hypertension leads to dilatation of oesophageal veins. The veins are susceptible to rupture (fatal in patients with coagulopathy).
What bile-acid sequestrants are used to manage pruritus?
Cholestyramine
What is the management of ascites?
Fluid restriction and low-salt diet
Consider Spironolactone and furosmide
What is the prophylactic management for recurrent episodes of hepatic encephalopathy?
Lactulose and rifaximin
What is the definitive treatment for liver cirrhosis?
Liver transplant
What scoring system is used to assess the survival benefit of a liver transplant?
MELD
Which disease is associated with a secondary cause of achalasia?
Chagas disease
What is achalasia?
Failure of the LOS to relax resulting in apersistalsis - Degeneration of the myenteric plexus to produce NO and VIP
What is the presentation of achalasia?
Dysphagia of both solids and liquids
Regurgitation due to food trapped in the oesophagus
Gradual weight loss -Due to lack of food ingestion
What is the gold-standard investigations for achalasia?
High resolution oesophageal manometry - Incomplete relaxation and Aperistalsis at the LOS
What are the other investigations performed in achalasia?
Upper GI Endoscopy - Retained food debris with dilated wall
Barium swallow - Birds beak appearance
What is seen in a barium swallow for achalasia?
Birds beak appearance
What is the management for achalasia?
Heller’s cardiomyotomy
What are the risk factors for GORD?
Hiatus hernia Obesity Gastric acid hypersecretion Alcohol Smoking Pregnancy LOS tone reducing drugs (TCAs)
What are the main presenting features of GORD?
Post-prandial pain Acid regurgitation - bitter Waterbrash Odynophagia Chronic cough or nocturnal asthma
What is the gold-standard investigation for GORD?
Resolution of symptoms after 8 week PPI trial
What is the surgical management for GORD?
Nissen fundoplication
Magnetic bead banding
What are the risk factors for PUD?
H.pylori NSAIDs - Reduced bicarbonate production Smoking Increased/decreased gastric emptying Gastric specific ulcers - Cushing (Vagus) and Curling ulcers
What are the two types of peptic ulcers?
Duodenal ulcers
Gastric uclers
What enteroendocrine hormone is secreted in Zollinger Ellison Syndrome?
Gastrin
What is the PUD presentation?
Epigastric pain (pointing sign)
Directly after meal = gastric ulcer
N&V
Mild weight loss
What are the complications of PUD?
Haemorrhage
Perforation
Obstruction
What is the gold-standard investigation for PUD?
Upper GI endoscopy - reveal ulcerations
What investigations are performed for PUD?
Upper GI Endoscopy (Gold)
-H pylori tests - Urea breath test and stool antigen test (test after 6-8 weeks9
Serum fasting gastrin level
What lifestyle changes are recommended in PUD?
Smoking cessation
Reducing alcohol intake
What medical therapy is indicated in H.pylori positive PUD?
Triple therapy
PPI , amoxicillin, clarithromycin 7 day eradication therapy
-Consider metronidazole if contraindicated
What is the management of H.pylori negative PUD?
Offer 4-8 weeks of PPI therapy
Define gastritis?
Histological presence of mucosal inflammation
What are the two types of hernias?
Hiatus hernias Sliding hernias (80%)
Define hiatus hernia?
Protrusion of abdominal contents into the thorax - usually stomach
What is the most common hiatus hernia?
Sliding hernia
What are the risk factors for hiatus hernias?
Obesity
Increasing intra-abdominal pressure
What are the presentation of hiatus hernia?
Asymptomatic
GORD symptoms (Worse when lying flat)
Palpitations or hiccups indicate pericardial irritation
What is the gold standard investigation for hiatus hernia?
Upper GI endoscopy
What does a CXR reveal in hiatus hernia?
Retrocardiac bubble
What is the surgical management for hiatus hernia?
Fundoplication
What is the aetiology o Barret’s oesophagus?
Metaplasia of normal stratified squamous epithelium to columnar epithelium
What is the gold standard investigation for Barrett’s oesophagus?
Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy (Revealing columnar epithelium)
What is the management of non-dysplastic Barrett’s oesophagus?
Maximise PPI therapy and surveillance every 2 years
What is the management for low-grade dysplasia?
Monitor every 6 months to assess growth
What is the definitive management for high-grade dysplasia?
Therapeutic intervention - radiofrequency ablation or endoscopic mucosal resection for nodular growths.
Smoking increases what type of oesophageal carcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What is the presentation of oesophageal cancer?
Dysphagia - first solids progressing to liquids
Rapid weight loss
Hoarseness
What is the gold standard investigation for oesophageal cancer?
Upper GI Endoscopy with biopsy
Define gastric cancer
Neoplasm originating in any portion of the stomach (Adenocarcinoma)
Intestinal - H.pylori associated
diffuse - E-cadherin associated
What are intestinal gastric cancers associated with?
H.pylori
What are the main risk factors for gastric cancers?
Pernicious anaemia
H pylori
Nitrosamines
What is the presentation of gastric cancer?
Vague epigastric abdominal pain
Weight loss common
Lymphadenopathy (Left supraclavicular- Virchow’s node)
Sister mary joseph nodule
Krukhenberg tumour- ovaries
What is the gold standard investigation for gastric cancer?
Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy
What does a biopsy reveal in gastric cancer?
Signet ring cells
Define Mallory-Weiss Tear
Longitudinal lacerations in the mucosa and submucosa near the GOS
Self-limiting
What are the risk factors for a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Persistent retching, coughing, vomiting, or straining found in alcoholics and bulimics
(Increase in intra-abdominal pressure)
What is the presentation of Mallory-Weiss tear?
Haematemesis is the most common Light-headed/dizziness Postural hypotension Dysphagia Melanea
What is the gold standard investigation in a MW tear?
Upper GI Endoscopy
What happens to the serum urea in an upper GI bleed?
Serum urea increases (Breakdown of erythrocytes)
What risk assessment scores are associated in upper GI bleeds?
Rockall Score
Glasgow-Blatchford score
What is the first-line management of a Mallory-Weiss tear?
Endoscopy inject adrenaline or conduct band ligation to stop bleeding
Anti-secretory therapy (PPI) before endoscopy. - seems to reduce re-bleed
Anti-emetics to prevent recurrence
Second line - sengstaken-Blakemore tube
What biochemical marker is raised in an acute upper GI bleed?
Urea - may be seen due to the protein meal of blood
What is the Glasgow-Blatchford score?
the Glasgow-Blatchford score at first assessment
helps clinicians decide whether patient patients can be managed as outpatients or not
What is the Rockall score?
he Rockall score is used after endoscopy
provides a percentage risk of rebleeding and mortality
includes age, features of shock, co-morbidities, aetiology of bleeding and endoscopic stigmata of recent haemorrhage
What is the first-line management of varcieal bleeding after resuscitation with FFP and fluids?
Terlipressin and prophylactic Abx
What is the endoscopic therapy for oesophageal varices?
Endoscopic variceal band ligation SUPERIOR»_space; to endoscopic sclerotherapy
What is the management of oesophageal varices if band ligation is unsuccessful?
Insertion of Sengstaken-Blakemore tube
What is the prophylactic treatment for variceal haemorrhage?
Propanolol - reduced rebleeding
What is the most common type of colonic cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
What do colonic cancers arise from?
Dysplastic adenomatous polyps
What genes are implicated in colonic cancer?
HNPCC (Lynch Syndrome)
FAP
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
What is HNPCC?
Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer
Fhx of bowel cancer at a young age
Symptomatic 30 yo’s
Colonoscopy - tumour without polyps (Not FAP)
what is Petuz-Jeghers syndroms?
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition characterised by numerous hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal tract. It is also associated with pigmented freckles on the lips, face, palms and soles. Although the polyps themselves don’t have malignant potential, around 50% of patients will have died from another gastrointestinal tract cancer by the age of 60 years.
What are the UK cancer screening programmes?
Breast
Cervical
Bowel
What are the clinical features for Peutz-Jeghers syndrome?
Features
hamartomatous polyps in GI tract (mainly small bowel)
pigmented lesions on lips, oral mucosa, face, palms and soles
intestinal obstruction e.g. intussusception
gastrointestinal bleeding
What gene is associated with FAP?
APC gene
What is the management for FAP?
Annual screening sigmoidoscopy
Polyps found = Resectional surgery
Resection and pouch Vs subtotal colectomy and IRA
What biochemical screening test is available for colorectal cancer?
Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) tests
What is the FIT test?
Type of faecal occult blood test which uses antibodies that specifically recognise human haemoglobin
What is the age threshold to be invited for a flexible sigmoidoscopy screening for bowel cancer?
Age 55 years
What are the main risk factors for colorectal cancer?
Increasing age
Obesity
IBD (UC)
What is the presentation of colonic cancer?
Change in bowel habits
Rectal bleeding (Mixed in the stool and not bright red)
Weight loss
- FLAWs
Tenesmus
Anaemia symptoms
What are the indications for a 2WW for colonic cancer?
NICE updated their referral guidelines in 2015. The following patients should be referred urgently (i.e. within 2 weeks) to colorectal services for investigation:
patients >= 40 years with unexplained weight loss AND abdominal pain
patients >= 50 years with unexplained rectal bleeding
patients >= 60 years with iron deficiency anaemia OR change in bowel habit
tests show occult blood in their faeces (see below)
An urgent referral (within 2 weeks) should be ‘considered’ if:
there is a rectal or abdominal mass
there is an unexplained anal mass or anal ulceration
patients < 50 years with rectal bleeding AND any of the following unexplained symptoms/findings:
abdominal pain
change in bowel habit
weight loss
iron deficiency anaemia
A male >55 with FLAWs and altered bowel habits is associated with what
Colorectal cancer
What may tenesmus suggest?
A rectal mass
What is the most common cause of iron deficiency in men over 60?
Colorectal cancer
What does an FBC reveal in colorectal cancer?
Iron deficiency anaemia
What examination features are associated with colonic cancer?
Anaemia features
Palpable mass (Late)
Distension/ascites (late)
Lymphadenopathy (late)
How is colorectal cancer staged?
CT chest/abdomen/pelvis
What is the management of colonic cancer within the Caecal, ascending or proximal transverse colon?
Right hemicolectomy with ileocolic anastomosis
What is the surgical management for a colonic cancer residing within the Distal transverse, descending colon?
Left hemicolectomy with colo-colon anastomosis
What is the surgical management for sigmoid colon cancer?
High anterior resection
What is the surgical management for an anal verge colonic cancer?
Abdomino-perineal excision of rectum
What is the diagnostic investigation for colonic cancer?
Colonoscopy and biopsy
What does a double-contrast barium enema reveal in colonic cancer?
Apple core lesion - cancer causing strictures
What cancer marker is associated with colonic cancer?
Carcinoembryonic antigen
-Used to monitor for recurrence in patients post-operatively to assess response to treatment
What is the first-line Investigation for suspected colonic cancer?
2WW referral
W LFTs and FBC & DRE
What criteria is used to stage colonic cancer?
Duke’s staging + TNM classification
Apple core lesions (on a barium contrast double enema) are associated with what pathology?
Colonic cancer
What is Duke A staging in colonic cancer?
Tumour confined to the mucosa
What is Duke’s B staging in colonic cancer?
Tumour invading the bowel wall
What is Duke C staging in colonic cancer?
Lymph node metastases
What is the definitive treatment for colorectal cancer?
Surgical excision + adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemo/radiotherapy
What are the common metastasis for colorectal cancer?
Liver
Lung
Bone
Brain