Gyn and Breast Flashcards
Diseases of the vulva and vagina are most often
inflammatory, rendering them more uncomfortable than serious. Malignant neoplasia is uncommon.
Vulvitis, inflammation of the vulva, can be caused by
infection, contact irritant, allergic reaction, or traumatic injury.
Vulvitis
A variety of pathogens has been associated and often
sexually transmitted.
Vulvitis
In addition, the moist environment supports
fungal infections (Candida albicans).
Vulvitis
Contact irritation or allergic reaction may be related to a number of
agents, including soaps, perfumes, deodorants, clothing textiles, etc.
Vulvitis
Scratching-induced trauma secondary to
associated pruritus (itching) may exacerbate the primary condition.
Vaginitis, inflammation of the vagina, is relatively common and results in production of
vaginal discharge (leukorrhea).
Vaginitis
A variety of organisms have been associated, including
bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
Vaginitis
Many associated orgs are normal commensal organisms that become
pathogenic under certain circumstances, such diabetes, systemic antibiotic therapy (which disrupts normal microbial flora), or immunodeficiency.
Vaginitis
Candida albicans and Trichomonas vaginalis are
frequent offenders.
The cervix must act as a
barrier to prevent entrance of air and microflora into the uterus but at the same time permit escape of menstrual flow and be capable of dilation to accommodate childbirth. This location represents the site of one of the most common cancers in women.
Cervicitis is inflammation of the
cervix, is extremely common and is associated with purulent vaginal discharge.
Cervicitis
The process may be secondary to
specific infections such as candida, trichomonas, chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HPV, or herpes; but more commonly, it arises from nonspecific infections and is seen in virtually every multiparous woman.
Cervicitis
It may be
acute or chronic.
Cervicitis
In severe lesions, it is difficult to
clinically distinguish from carcinoma and biopsy is required for diagnosis.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Carcinoma of the Cervix
At one time, this cancer was the
leading cause of cancer deaths in women; but currently, it ranks 14th (12,820 cases and 4,200 deaths predicted in the US in 2017).
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Carcinoma of the Cervix
In contrast, the discovery of preinvasive intraepithelial cervical neoplasia has
increased significantly.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Carcinoma of the Cervix
The Papanicolaou cytologic test (Pap smear, 1940) is responsible for the
increased discovery of these earlier lesions, most of which are cured by effective therapy.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Carcinoma of the Cervix
Exfoliated cells collected from the cervix are processed with a
special stain (Papanicolaou stain). This allows identification of precancerous (dysplastic) cytological features. This test is inexpensive, however, false positives/negatives are recognized and additional HPV testing is now standard with abnormal Pap tests.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Carcinoma of the Cervix
Several factors tend to increase the prevalence; the four most important are
early onset of coitus, multiple sexual partners, a male partner with multiple previous sexual partners, and persistent infection with “high-risk” HPV (16, 18).
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Carcinoma of the Cervix
HPV is present in
85-90% of cervical neoplasia.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Carcinoma of the Cervix
In spite of this correlation, research has shown that
something more than viral action must be involved in the evolution of invasive cervical carcinoma.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Carcinoma of the Cervix
Approximately 75-95% of cervical cancers present as
squamous cell carcinoma.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia and Carcinoma of the Cervix
Most (perhaps all) invasive cervical carcinomas arise from
precursor lesions termed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).