Gastroenterology: Pathology - Oesophagus and stomach Flashcards
What is the most common cause of oesophagitis?
Reflux (GERD)
Describe the pathogenesis of reflux oesophagitis
Reflux of gastric juices results in mucosal injury
Conditions which decrease oesophageal tone or increase abdominal pressure contribute to GERD, e.g.:
- Alcohol and tobacco use
- Obesity
- CNS depressants
- Pregnancy
- Hiatus hernia
- Delayed gastric emptying
- Increased gastric volume
What is Barrett oesophagus?
Metaplastic change in distal oesophagus in response to prolonged injury (e.g. in chronic GERD)
Squamous epithelium is replaced by columnar intestinal epithelium
What are some of the risks associated with Barrett oesophagus?
- Ulceration
- Stricture
- Epithelial dysplasia
- Oesophageal adenocarcinoma (risk ~30x baseline)
What is the hallmark morphological feature of Barrett oesophagus?
Goblet cells present above the gastro-oesophageal junction
In what % of cirrhotic patients do varices occur?
90%
What are the two main causes of oesophageal varices?
Alcoholic liver disease
Hepatic schistosomiasis
Describe the pathogenesis of oesophageal varices
Severe portal HTN causes congestion at sites of shared portal and systemic circulation
Results in congestion of subepithelial and submucosal venous plexus in distal 1/3 oesophagus
Normally distal 1/3 of oesophagus drains via L gastric vein to portal circulation and via azygos vein to systemic circulation
What % of patients die during first variceal bleeding episode, and what is the usual cause of death?
Up to half
Death either due to shock, or hepatic coma triggered by hypovolaemia
Of those who survive an initial episode of variceal bleeding, in what % will additional instances of haemorrhage occur within the next 12 months?
> 50% will have another bleeding episode within the next 12 months
Mortality similar to first episode (up to half)
What % of deaths of patients with advanced cirrhosis are caused by variceal rupture?
> 50%
Which oesophageal cancer is more common: squamous cell or adenocarcinoma?
Squamous cell carcinoma (although rates of adenocarcinoma are increasing in developed world)
What causes oesophageal adenocarcinoma?
Typically due to Barrett oesophagus and long-standing GERD (especially if documented dysplasia)
Besides Barrett oesophagus, what other factors increase risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma?
Tobacco
Obesity
Prior radiation
Describe the sex predilection of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma
Both more common in men
What is the typical site of oesophageal adenocarcinoma?
Distal 1/3
May invade into gastric cardia
What is the overall 5-year survival of oesophageal adenocarcinoma?
<25% because often diagnosed late (if diagnosed when limited to mucosa or submucosa, 5-year survival is 80%)
Six risk factors for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Poverty
- Caustic oesophageal injury
- Achalasia
- Frequent consumption of very hot beverages
- Previous radiation