GP - Women's health Flashcards
Risk factors for breast cancer
Increasing age
Female (significantly higher risk than men)
Early age of menarche and late age of menopause
OCP - risk returns to normal after 10 years of cessation
Prolonged HRT
Family hx
Previous BCa (increased risk of contralateral BCa)
Overweight/obesity
Increased alcohol consumption
Protective factors for breast cancer
Parity and childbirth
Breast feeding - at least 12 months total
Younger age of first parity (esp.
Key features of malignancy vs. cyst on U/S
Malignancy - poorly circumscribed hypoechoic lesion with posterior acoustic shadowing and taller than it is wide
Cyst - well circumscribed anechoic lesion with posterior acoustic enhancement and wider than that it is tall
Features suggestive that breast lump is malignant on examination
Larger, hard, irregular and fixed nodule
Breast distortion esp. on movement
Tethering of nipple or skin
Dimpling or peau d’orange
Bleeding, ulceration or fungation of lesion
Palpable axillary LNs
Non-tender
Nipple discharge and areola redness and bleeding
Asymmetrical nodularity
What are the main Rx options for breast cancer?
- Surgery - WLE + RTx or mastectomy
- Medical adjuvant Rx
- Endocrine Rx - if ER/PR +
- Chemo - if advanced disease, high risk of reoccurrence
- Targeted Rx - if HER2 receptor +
Endocrine - Oestrogen receptor antagonist (Tamoxifen) pre- and post-menopausal women (5-10 yr course, increased risk of VTE, uterine Ca) or aromatase inhibitors (post-menopausal women only)
Targeted - Transtuzumab (Herceptin), 5 year course
What are the likely DDx of breast lump
Fibroadenoma (most common)
- Well circumscribed, firm, mobile, non-tender lump
- Smooth, rubbery
- Hormone dependent - change with cycle
- Requires core or excision biopsy
Fibrocystic changes
- Usually symmetrical (bilateral), commonly upper outer quadrant
- Tender, mobile
- Varies with menstrual cycle
- Nipple discharge - straw-like, brown or green
What is the diagnostic criteria for PCOS (Rotterdam criteria)?
- Irregular or absent ovulation (cycle 35 days)
- Clinical or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogegism (Raised Free testosterone or free androgen index, low SHBG, acne, hirsutism, alopecia)
- PCO seen on US (>12 antral follicles seen)
What are DDx for PCOS?
Cushing's syndrome Hypothyroidism Hyperprolactinaemia Late-onset CAH Androgen secreting tumour
What are clinical features of PCOS?
Acne Hirsutism Weight gain Alopecia Sub-fertility/infertility High rate of associated depression & anxiety Insulin resistance, 'pre-diabetes' HTN Irregular menstrual cycle
What are important Rx issues to screen for/Rx in PCOS?
Subfertility/infertility Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, body dysmorphia Cardiometabolic risk Weight control Cosmetic issues - acne, hirsutism
What are the key initial Ix in suspected PCOS?
Confirm diagnosis - U/S, free testosterone level, SHBG
Exclude DDx - TFT, prolactin
Risk factor ax - Lipid profile, glucose tolerance test
What are general Rx principles in PCOS?
Menstrual regulation Clinical hypoandrogenism symptoms Fertility Emotional health Cardiometabolic health Emotional health Lifestyle management
Managed in primary care but with endocrinology referral if complex or fertility specialist if >35 or ongoing issues after 6mths wt loss +/- metformin
How can menstrual regulation be Rx in PCOS?
- Lifestyle factors - weight loss 5-10% can restore ovulatory cycles
- Metformin - can improve cycles
- Contraception - COCP (+endometrial Ca protection as increased risk with amenorrhoea), progesterone only
Aim for >4 periods/year (unless on contraception)
How can hyperandrogenism in PCOS be Rx?
1st line - cosmetic options
2nd line - COCP - increases SHBG, decreasing testosterone
3rd line - antiandrogen (spirnolactone, finasteride)
What Ix for cardiometabolic risk should be performed in PCOS and how frequently?
2nd yearly - lipids, OGTT
Annual - BP, smoking status