Gynae Flashcards
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Explain the basics of the menstrual cycle up to ovulation
- Multiple follicles develop under presence of FSH + then one dominates causing increased oestrogen conversion which has -ve feedback on FSH/LH
- Oestrogen rises to a point where it stops inhibiting hypothalamus + causes a spike in LH > ovulation
MENSTRUAL CYCLE
Explain the basics of what happens after ovulation
- Corpus luteum (dominant follicle) produces progesterone which inhibits FSH/LH
- Egg fertilised = syncytiotrophoblast secretes hCG which maintains it
- Egg not fertilised = degenerates + so FSH/LH can rise again
1º AMENORRHOEA
What is primary amenorrhoea?
Absence of menstruation by –
- 13y if no secondary sexual characteristics
- 15y with secondary sexual characteristics (breast buds)
1º AMENORRHOEA
What is the difference between hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism and hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism?
- Deficiency in gonadotrophins (LH + FSH) stimulating ovaries due to abnormal hypothalamus or pituitary so low sex hormones (hypogonadism)
- Gonads fails to respond to stimulation of gonadotrophins meaning no negative feedback + increasing amounts of FSH/LH
1º AMENORRHOEA
What are some causes of hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism?
- Constitutional delay (temporary delay, no pathology, ?FHx)
- Kallmann’s (failure to start puberty + anosmia)
- Excessive exercise, dieting or stress causes hypothalamic failure
- Endo = Cushing’s, prolactinoma, thyroid
- Damage (cancer, surgery, radiotherapy)
1º AMENORRHOEA
What are some causes of hypergonadotrophic hypogonadism?
- Gonadal dysgenesis e.g., Turner’s syndrome (XO)
- Congenital absence of ovaries
- Previous damage to gonads (torsion, cancer, infections like mumps)
1º AMENORRHOEA
What are some other causes of primary amenorrhoea and how may they present?
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia = tall, deep voice, facial hair
- Androgen insensitivity syndrome = 46XY but female phenotype
- Congenital malformations of genital tract e.g., imperforate hymen = regular painful cycles but amenorrhoea > haematocolpos
1º AMENORRHOEA
What are some initial investigations for primary amenorrhoea?
- FBC + ferritin (anaemia), U+E for CKD, anti-TTG for coeliac, urinary beta-hCG crucial
- FSH + LH (low = hypothalamic, high = gonads)
- TFTs, prolactin, free androgens
1º AMENORRHOEA
What further investigations might be useful in primary amenorrhoea?
- XR wrist to assess bone age + Dx constitutional delay
- Pelvic USS for structural causes
- Karyotyping for Turner’s syndrome, AIS
1º AMENORRHOEA
What is the management of primary amenorrhoea?
- Constitutional delay = reassurance + observe
- Primary ovarian insufficiency due to gonadal dysgenesis = HRT to prevent osteoporosis
2º AMENORRHOEA
What is secondary amenorrhoea?
- Absence of menstruation for 3–6m in women with previously regular menses, or 6–12m in women with previous oligomenorrhoea
2º AMENORRHOEA
What is the most common cause of secondary amenorrhoea and the non-pathological causes?
What are the pathological causes of secondary amenorrhoea?
- Pregnancy (most common), breastfeeding, menopause (physiological)
- Pituitary = Sheehan’s syndrome, hyperprolactinaemia (prevents GnRH)
- Ovarian = PCOS, premature ovarian failure
- Thyroid = hyper or hypothyroidism
- Asherman’s syndrome
- Hypothalamic failure = excessive exercise, stress or eating disorders
2º AMENORRHOEA
What hormonal tests would you do in secondary amenorrhoea?
- Urinary pregnancy test
- FSH/LH and androgens
- Mid-luteal (day 21) progesterone to check ovulation happened
- Prolactin + TFTs if indicated
2º AMENORRHOEA
What other investigations may you do in secondary amenorrhoea?
- Pelvic USS to Dx PCOS
- MRI head if ?pituitary tumour
MENORRHAGIA
What is menorrhagia?
- Blood loss during menses to the extent in which the woman’s QOL is affected
MENORRHAGIA
What are some causes of menorrhagia?
- Dysfunctional uterine bleeding = no underlying pathology in about half
- Local = fibroids, adenomyosis, endometrial polyps or cancer, PID, copper IUD
- Systemic = bleeding disorders (vWD), hypothyroidism
MENORRHAGIA
What are some investigations for menorrhagia?
- FBC for ALL women, ferritin (anaemia), clotting screen
- Transvaginal USS for underlying causes
- TFTs, STI screen if clinically indicated
FIBROIDS
What are fibroids?
- Benign tumours of the smooth muscle of the uterus (uterine leiomyomas)
FIBROIDS
What are the different types of fibroids?
- Intramural (most common) = within the myometrium
- Subserosal = >50% fibroid mass extends outside uterus
- Submucosal = >50% projection into the endometrial cavity
- Subserosal + submucosal can be pedunculated (on stalk = risk of torsion)
FIBROIDS
What are some associations with fibroids?
What are some risk factors?
- Grow in response to oestrogen so rare before puberty
- Black ethnicity, increasing age, early puberty, FHx + obesity
FIBROIDS
What is the clinical presentation of fibroids?
- Menorrhagia (#1)
- Pelvic pain
- Urinary symptoms (frequency, urgency)
- Subfertility
FIBROIDS
What are some investigations for fibroids?
- Abdo + bimanual exam = firm, enlarged, irregularly shaped non-tender uterus
- FBC for ALL women (?IDA)
- TV USS
FIBROIDS
What is a key complication of fibroids?
How does it present?
How is it managed?
- Red degeneration
- Growth in pregnancy due to rise in oestrogen so fibroid outgrows blood supply > ischaemia + degeneration
- Low-grade fever, severe abdo pain + vomiting > analgesia, fluids
FIBROIDS
What is the first line management of fibroids <3cm?
How is the management split after that?
- IUS (cautious if uterus distortion > specialist advice)
- Non-hormonal = does not want contraception
- Hormonal = wants contraception
- Surgical = severe or submucosal for hysteroscopic removal
FIBROIDS
What are the options for non-hormonal management of fibroids <3cm?
- Tranexamic acid (antifibrinolytic) taken during bleeding to reduce it
- Mefenamic acid (NSAID) to reduce bleeding + pain
FIBROIDS
What are the options for hormonal management of fibroids <3cm?
- COCP
- Cyclical progesterone (norethisterone)
FIBROIDS
What is the management of fibroids >3cm?
- Same medical Mx but surgery offered too
- GnRH agonists (goserelin) can be given to shrink fibroids by inducing menopausal state (reduced oestrogen) in short-term only (can demineralise bone) for surgery
FIBROIDS
What are the main surgical options for fibroids?
- Uterine artery embolisation
- Myomectomy
- 2nd gen endometrial ablation
- Hysterectomy
FIBROIDS
What is…
i) uterine artery embolisation?
ii) myomectomy?
iii) endometrial ablation?
iv) hysterectomy?
i) Injection > blocked arterial supply to fibroid = starves of oxygen + shrinks
ii) Removal of fibroid either laparoscopic, hysteroscopic or laparotomy
iii) Destroys endometrium + superficial myometrium of uterus
iv) Uterus removal, last resort, patient choice, family completed
FIBROIDS
What should you make women aware of before certain surgical procedures?
- Myomectomy is only treatment known to potentially improve subfertility
- Must AVOID subsequent pregnancy + use effective contraception after endometrial ablation
ADENOMYOSIS
What is adenomyosis?
What is the epidemiology?
- Endometrial tissue inside the myometrium – oestrogen dependent
- More common in later reproductive years + multiparous
ADENOMYOSIS
How does adenomyosis present?
- Dysmenorrhoea + menorrhagia
- Examination = bulky + tender uterus, “boggy”
ADENOMYOSIS
What is the management of adenomyosis?
- FBC + TV USS first line, may get MRI pelvis
- Manage as per fibroids
ENDOMETRIOSIS
What is the pathophysiology of endometriosis?
- Presence of ectopic endometrial tissue outside the uterus potentially due to retrograde menstruation (Sampson’s theory) which responds to normal menstruation hormones > bleeding + chronic inflammation and scarring
ENDOMETRIOSIS
Where might endometriosis occur and what might this cause?
- Pouch of Douglas = PR bleeding
- Bladder + distal ureter = haematuria
- Ovaries = endometrioma (chocolate cyst)
ENDOMETRIOSIS
What are some risk factors for endometriosis?
What are some protective factors?
- Early menarche, nulliparity or FHx
- Hence = multiparity and COCP
ENDOMETRIOSIS
What is the clinical presentation of endometriosis?
- Cyclical pelvic pain, deep dyspareunia and secondary dysmenorrhoea (worse 2–3d before menses + better afterwards)
- Cyclical urinary Sx = dysuria, urgency, haematuria
- Dyschezia = painful bowel movements
ENDOMETRIOSIS
What are the investigation of endometriosis?
What is the gold standard investigation and what might it show?
- Bimanual = fixed, retroverted uterus 2º to adhesions
- TVS may reveal endometrioma
- Diagnostic laparoscopy (white scars or brown spots “powder burn”)
ENDOMETRIOSIS
What are some complications of endometriosis?
- Adhesions 2º to endometriosis or surgery > bowel obstruction
- Subfertility due to inflammatory damage + tubal adhesions
- Reduced QOL > depression, anxiety
ENDOMETRIOSIS
What is the first line management of endometriosis?
What is trialled after that?
- NSAIDs ± paracetamol for symptomatic relief
- Hormonal treatments to abolish cycles = COCP or progestogens (POP/implant/injectable/IUS)
ENDOMETRIOSIS
What is the secondary care management of endometriosis?
- GnRH analogues for ‘pseudomenopause’
- Laparoscopic excision or ablation
- Ultimately, hysterectomy may be considered
PCOS
What is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
- Heterogenous endocrine disorder which emerges at puberty due to a combination of hormone imbalances e.g., insulin resistance, raised LH + hyperandrogenism
PCOS
How does insulin resistance contribute to PCOS?
- Low sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) which usually binds to testosterone so more testosterone is unbound in blood
- Raised androgens
PCOS
What are the 3 main presenting features of PCOS?
- Hyperandrogenism = hirsutism, acne + male pattern baldness
- Oligo or amenorrhoea
- Insulin resistance (obesity, acanthosis nigricans)
PCOS
How does hirsutism present in PCOS?
What are some differentials of hirsutism?
- Growth of thick, dark hair often in male pattern (facial hair)
- Androgen-secreting ovarian/adrenal tumours, CAH, Cushing’s
PCOS
What diagnostic criteria is used in PCOS?
Rotterdam criteria (≥2) –
- Oligo- or anovulation
- Hyperandrogenism (biochemical or clinical)
- Polycystic ovaries (≥12) or ovarian volume >10cm^3 on USS
PCOS
What blood tests may be used in PCOS diagnosis and what would they show?
- Testosterone (normal/raised)
- SHBG (low)
- LH (raised) + raised LH:FSH ratio (LH>FSH)
- Prolactin + TFTs (exclude causes), OGTT (screen for T2DM)
PCOS
What is the gold standard for visualising the ovaries?
What might it show?
- TVS
- “String of pearls” appearance
- Can also visualise endometrial thickness
PCOS
What are some complications of PCOS?
- Metabolic = T2DM, CVD (screen for) + OSA
- Subfertility
- Mental health = depression, anxiety
- Endometrial cancer = unopposed oestrogen from no progesterone as no ovulation
PCOS
What is the most crucial part of PCOS management?
- Healthy lifestyle + weight loss as can improve overall condition + complications
PCOS
How is endometrial cancer risk managed in PCOS?
- IUS (continuous endometrial protection)
- COCP or cyclical progestogens (medroxyprogesterone) with withdrawal bleed every 3–4m
PCOS
How is infertility managed in PCOS?
- Weight loss #1 if appropriate
- Clomifene first line to induce ovulation
- Metformin may be used ± clomifene
- Laparoscopic ovarian drilling or IVF afterwards
PCOS
How is hirsutism managed in PCOS?
- Co-cyprindiol COCP with anti-androgen effects but increased VTE risk so used <3m
- Hair removal cream, topical eflornithine for facial hair
- Spironolactone (mineralocorticoid anatagonist with anti-androgen effects)
PCOS
How is acne managed in PCOS?
- Co-cyprindiol COCP
- Standard treatments e.g., retinoids, lymecycline
BREAST CANCER
What is the pre-malignant form of breast cancer?
How is it detected?
What is the pathology?
- Non-invasive ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) = not invaded basement membrane
- Asymptomatic on screening
- Microcalcification on mammography, unifocal lesion in one area of breast
BREAST CANCER
What are the 2 most common histological types of invasive breast cancer?
- Invasive ductal carcinoma (70%) = abnormal proliferation of ductal cells, invaded basement membrane
- Lobular carcinoma (10%) = more diffuse + frequently impalpable
BREAST CANCER
What are some other types of breast cancer?
- Inflammatory breast cancer (presents like mastitis, no Abx response)
- Medullary cancers (younger, BRCA1)
- Paget’s disease of nipple
BREAST CANCER
What is Paget’s disease of the nipple?
When would you expect it and how is it managed?
- Eczematous change of nipple due to underlying malignancy (invasive #1 or in-situ)
- Suspect if nipple eczema unresolved with 2w of steroid or anti-fungal cream
- Triple assessment
BREAST CANCER
What is the epidemiology of breast cancer?
- 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime
- Most common cancer in women + second most common cause of death
BREAST CANCER
What are some modifiable risk factors of breast cancer?
- Obesity, smoking, alcohol, not breastfeeding
BREAST CANCER
What are some non-modifiable risk factors of breast cancer?
- Increased hormone exposure = early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity, COCP or combined HRT
- Genetic = FHx, female, BRCA1, BRCA2, TP53 (Li Fraumeni), Peutz-Jeghers
BREAST CANCER
What are some protective factors of breast cancer?
- Breastfeeding
- Multiparity
- Late menarche + early menopause
BREAST CANCER
What are the two most common genetic associations with breast cancer?
What are they?
- BRCA1 #1 = mutation of C17, 60-80% lifetime risk
- BRCA2 = mutation of C13, 45% lifetime risk
- Tumour suppression genes that act as inhibitors of cellular growth
BREAST CANCER
What are some other genetic mutations associated with breast cancer?
- TP53 (Li Fraumeni)
- Peutz-Jeghers
BREAST CANCER
What is the classic clinical presentation of breast cancer?
- Palpable painless lump (upper outer quadrant) = hard, irregular, tethered to chest wall
- Visually = nipple inversion, bloody nipple discharge, peau d’orange (oedema + pitting due to blockage of lymphatic drainage)
- Palpable lymphadenopathy (axillary > supraclavicular)
BREAST CANCER
What warrants an urgent 2ww cancer referral?
What happens under the 2ww referal?
- ≥30 with unexplained breast lump ± pain
- ≥50 with discharge, retraction or other change of concern
- Triple assessment
BREAST CANCER
What is the triple assessment?
- Clinical assessment = Hx + Examination
- Imaging = <40 USS as dense tissue, >40 USS + mammography, ?MRI
- Biopsy = with core needle biopsy (or fine needle aspiration)
BREAST CANCER
What imaging choices are there for investigating breast cancer and what would influence your choice?
- Mammography, high resolution USS (good at Dx + targeting biopsy)
- MRI (good assessment of implants, dense breasts or high-risk screening)
BREAST CANCER
If someone has breast cancer, what would you like to check now?
What might this tell you about prognosis?
- Oestrogen receptor (ER) = presence good prognosis (and vice versa)
- Human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) = presence bad prognosis (and vice versa)
- Progesterone receptor
BREAST CANCER
How is breast cancer staged?
How can you work out someone’s prognosis?
What tumour marker is used in breast cancer?
- CT CAP for TNM staging
- Nottingham prognostic index scoring system
- Ca 15-3 = monitor response to treatment + disease recurrence
BREAST CANCER
What is the NHS breast screening programme?
What is the process?
- Women 50–70 invited triennially for dual-view (cranio-caudal + medio-lateral oblique) mammography
BREAST CANCER
What are the pros and cons of breast cancer screening?
- Earlier detection, reduces mortality, detects asymptomatic cancers before present, not overly invasive
- Some cancers missed, false positive distressing, ionising radiation risk
BREAST CANCER
What are some reasons that a woman may be recalled for further views, USS or biopsy?
- Mass
- Microcalcification (DCIS)
- Asymmetrical density
- Clinical or technical recall
BREAST CANCER
What is the high risk screening for breast cancer?
- BRCA1/2 = annual MRI from age 30 + mammography from 40
BREAST CANCER
What are some complications of breast cancer?
How might this be managed?
- Locally advanced breast cancer = rare presentation
- Metastatic disease (2Ls 2Bs) = Lungs, Liver, Bones, Brain > bone mets = spinal radiotherapy or bisphosphonates
BREAST CANCER
What is the management of breast cancer prior to surgery?
- Women with no palpable axillary lymphadenopathy = pre-op axillary USS
- Women with clinically palpable lymphadenopathy = axillary node clearance indicated at primary surgery
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (FEC-D) to downstage a primary lesion
BREAST CANCER
What are some potential complications of axillary node clearance?
How can that be managed?
- Functional arm impairment
- Lymphoedema (compression bandages, massages)
BREAST CANCER
What are the two main surgical options for breast cancer management and when are they indicated?
- Wide local excision/lumpectomy = solitary lesion, peripheral tumour, small lesion in large breast, DCIS <4cm
- Mastectomy = multifocal or central tumour, large lesion in small breast, DCIS >4cm
BREAST CANCER
When is radiotherapy indicated in breast cancer management?
What are some side effects?
- Whole breast radiotherapy if wide-local excision to reduce recurrence
- Radiotherapy if T3-4 tumours or ≥4 +ve axillary nodes if mastectomy
- Breast tissue fibrosis, fat necrosis, fatigue
BREAST CANCER
What endocrine therapy might be used in breast cancer
- ER +ve and pre/peri-menopause = tamoxifen (SERM)
- ER +ve and post-menopause = aromatase inhibitors (e.g., anastrozole, letrozole)
- HER-2 +ve = trastuzumab (Herceptin)
BREAST CANCER
What is the mechanism of action of…
i) tamoxifen?
ii) anastrozole?
i) Selective oestrogen receptor modulator = inhibits oestrogen receptors on breast cancer cells
ii) Inhibits aromatase which converts androgens to oestrogen
BREAST CANCER
What are some side effects of…
i) tamoxifen?
ii) aromatase inhibitors?
iii) trastuzumab?
i) Menopausal Sx, VTE + endometrial cancer
ii) Hot flushes, osteoporosis, fatigue
iii) Cardiac dysfunction + teratogenicity
BREAST CANCER
When considering the surgical management of breast cancer, what else might be offered and when?
Give some examples
- Breast reconstruction surgery either primary (immediate) or delayed
- Latissimus dorsi flap, implant based, transverse rectus abdominis flap
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What are some differentials for breast lump?
- Breast cancer
- Fibroadenoma
- Fibrocystic breast disease
- Breast cysts
- Fat necrosis
- Duct papilloma
- Breast abscess
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What are the features of fibroadenoma?
What is the epidemiology?
What is the management?
- Firm, mobile, well-circumscribed + smooth lump
- Common in younger women <30
- Triple assessment, removal if ≥3cm
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What is fibrocystic breast disease?
- Connective tissues, ducts + lobules respond to cyclical hormonal changes becoming fibrous (irregular + hard) + cystic (fluid filled)
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What are the features of fibrocystic breast disease?
What is the epidemiology?
What is the management?
- Bilateral “lumpy” breasts, mastalgia, Sx worsen with menstrual cycle
- Common in women 25–50y
- Re-examine after menses, exclude cancer, supportive bra, NSAIDs, heat
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What are breast cysts?
What is the epidemiology?
Give an example of a specific type
- Benign fluid-filled lumps
- # 1 cause, 30–50y, small increased risk of breast cancer
- Galactocele = blocked lactiferous duct (painless lump beneath areola)
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What are the features of breast cysts?
What is the management?
- Smooth, well-circumscribed, mobile, fluctuant lumps
- Exclude cancer, aspiration/excision if pain
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What is fat necrosis?
What is the epidemiology and causes?
- Benign inflammatory reaction to adipose tissue damage
- Following trauma, radiotherapy or breast surgery
- Common in obese
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What are the features of fat necrosis?
What is the management?
- Painless, non-mobile mass with overlying skin inflammation and bruising
- Triple assessment as similar appearance to cancer, often no intervention
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What are the features of duct papilloma?
What is the management?
- Bloody nipple discharge, usually no palpable mass
- Triple assessment, microdochectomy
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What is duct ectasia?
What are the features?
What is the management?
- Inflammation + dilation of large breast ducts
- Nipple retraction, creamy/green discharge
- Troublesome = microdochectomy (young) or total duct excision (older)
BENIGN BREAST DISEASE
What is the associations with periductal mastitis?
What are the features?
What is the management?
- Presents younger than duct ectasia with strong association with smoking
- Inflammation, abscess or mammary duct fistula
- Abx, if abscess > draining