Gynae Flashcards
what is PCOS?
polycystic ovarian syndrome
endocrine condition characterised by menstrual dysfunction and features of hyperandrogenism
clinical features os PCOS?
- acne
- hirsutism
- depression/anxiety
- irregular periods (oligomenorrhea) or amenorrhea
- anovulatory infertility
- obesity u
- acanthosis nigricans
- sleep apnoea
what hormone changes do you see in PCOS?
- elevated LH hormone
- elevated testosterone
- insulin resistance
Ix for PCOS?
bloods:
- high testoterone
- elevated LH
- low/normal Sex hormone-binding globulin
- prolactin (elevated in hyperprolactinaemia - DD)
- TFTs (to exclude thyroid problems)
- 17-hydroxyprogesterone (elevated in congenital adrenal hyperplasia)
imaging: Transvaginal USS shows cysts
diagnostic criteria for PCos?
rotterdam criteria: 2/3 must be present to diagnose
- Polycystic ovaries (12 or more follicles on one ovary or increased ovarian volume)
- Oligo-anovulation or anovulation
- Clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism
management for PCOS?
conservative: weight loss (dietary advice and exercise) and hair removal processes, quit smoking
oligo/amenorrhoea and pre-menopausal oestrogen levels lead to endometrial hyperplasia and possibly an increased risk of endometrial carcinoma - therefore need a induced bleed by cyclical progestogen or can go on COCP or IUS
inducing fertility: Letrozole or clomiphene
metformin if needed for insulin resistance
acne treatment
counselling or therapy for anxiety/depression
what is endometriosis?
cells similar to the lining of the uterus, or endometrium, grow outside the uterus e.g. ovaries or fallopian tubes leading to inflammation, bleeding and scarring
what is adenomyosis?
a condition where endometrial tissue grows in the myometrium (muscle layer) of uterus
what is an endometrioma?
Cystic structures developing on the ovaries in endometriosis. They are frequently referred to as chocolate cysts due to the appearance of the contained, old and altered blood
name some risk factors for developing endometriosis?
Early menarche
Late menopause
Nulliparity
Delayed childbearing
Short menstrual cycle
FHx
White ethnicity
name some clinical features of endometriosis?
Chronic pelvic pain
Dysmenorrhoea
Irregular periods
Dyspareunia - pain during intercourse
Dyschezia - pain on passing faeces (often cyclical)
Bloating, nausea (often cyclical)
LUTS (often cyclical)
Infertility/sub-fertility
what investigations are done in endometriosis diagnosis?
- laparascopy = gold standard
- USS (transvaginal)
- MRI (last resorT)
management of endometriosis? (pharm)
- pain relieF: paracetamol or NSAIDs
- hormonal: COCP, POP, implant, mirena coil
- GnRH analogues
- mefenamic acid/ transexamic acid
surgical management of endometriosis?
- excision or ablation via laparoscopy
- endometriosis affecting the bowel, bladder or ureter, 3 months of GNRH agonists may be given pre-operatively
- ovarian cystectomy with excision of the cyst wall for endometriomas affecting fertility
- hysterectomy as last resort (TAH + BSO)
what are uterine fibroids?
benign tumours that arise from myometrium (usualy arise at child bearign age)
clinical features of uterine fibroids
usually asymptomatic
- pelvic pain
- Menorrhagia
- Abdominal swelling
- Dyspareunia
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Urinary/bowel symptoms
risk factors for fibroids?
Early age of puberty
Increasing age
Obesity
Ethnicity (e.g. black females)
(pregnancy can reduce the risk)
how do you diagnosis fibroids (what Ix)?
first line: USS transvaginal
(Full blood count: assessment of anaemia
Pelvic MRI +/- hysteroscopy: if concern about intramucosal fibroids or malignancy)
managment of fibroids>/
menorrhagia treatment - mirena coil (or COCP, POP, transexamic acid)
NSAIDs
surgical intervention with myomectomy (if >3cm and symptomatic) or hysterectomy can be considered
complications of fibroids?
Pregnancy-related complications:
- Infertility (distortion of uterine cavity)
- Placental abruption
- Intrauterine growth restriction
- Preterm labour
Non-pregnancy-related complications
- Prolapsed fibroid
- Anaemia (due to menorrhagia)
- Endocrine effects (polycythaemia, hypercalcaemia, hyperprolactinaemia)
name some risk factors for stress incontinence
- age
- obesity
- pregnancy and vaginal delivery
- constipation
- FHx
4 types of incontinence?
stress incontinence: leakage with increased intraabdo pressure
overflow incontinence: BOO or detrusor inactivity
urge incontinence: OAB
mixed incontinence: stress and urge incontinence
what bedside tests and investigations to diagnosis incontinence?
- Hx
- abdo examination
- pelvic exam
- Urine dipstick +/- MSU - look for infection
- Bladder scan - look for retention
- Bladder diaries
- Quality of life assessments
not routinely done:
(Cytometry is a urodynamic test that involves the insertion of a urinary catheter and the gradual filling of the bladder. A rectal probe is used at the same time to measure pressure as the bladder fills and then during voiding)
management of stress incontinence?
non pharm:
- reduce caffeine intak e
- reduce fluid intake (to 1.5-2L)
- stop smoking
- lose weight
- pelvic floor training (8 contractions, 3 times a day)
pharm: duloxetine
surgical: colosupsension or autologous rectal fascial sling
(other options: intramural bulking agent or a retropubic mid-urethral mesh sling)
managament of urge incontinence?
non pharm:
- reduce caffeine intak e
- reduce fluid intake (to 1.5-2L)
- stop smoking
- lose weight
- bladder diary and training (at least 6 weeks)
pharm: oxybutynin
management of overflow incontinence?
- referral to find out the obstructive cause
- may need long term catherisation (intermittent, indwelling or suprapubic) if cannot be corrected and retention is leading to UTIs or renal impairment
what are the two different types of endometrial cancer?
endometrioid: 75-80% Earlier presentation and better prognosis. Stimulated by oestrogen. Typically follows period of endometrial hyperplasia
non-endometrioid: 10-20% Multiple subtypes of tumour (e.g. serous, clear cell, mucinous)
risk factors for endometrial cancer?
- obesity (due to increased adipose tissue which leads to increased oestrogen)
- Unopposed oestrogen therapy (HRT)
- Increasing age
- Tamoxifen therapy
- Early menarche & late menopause: increased time expose to oestrogen
- Nulliparity: never borne a child
- PCOS: chronic anovulation
- Genetic risk (e.g. Lynch syndrome)
what is lynch syndrome
inherited cancer syndrome - can lead to early onset EC and colorectal cancer
clinical features of endometrial canceR?
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Abnormal uterine bleeding: intermenstrual, frequent, heavy or prolonged
- weight loss, anorexia, lethargy
- may see abnormal tissue on cervical speculum examination
what is post menopausal bleeding defined as?
abnormal vaginal bleeding ≥12 months after the last menstrual period in patients not on HRT
what clinical features warrant a two wk wait referral for Endometrial cancer ?
> 55 yrs and post menopausal bleeding
what examinations and investigations are done in suspected endometrial cancer?
abdominal, pelvic and speculum exminations
USS transvaginal (if ≥ 4 mm endometrial thickness then take biopsy!)
Pipelle biopsy or Hysteroscopy and biopsy (done under regional or general - for pts who can’t handle pipelle)
other: CT for advanced disease or MRI for better imagin of local disease
5 year survival rate for endometrial cancer?
75%
management for endometrial cancer?
- Surgical: total hysterectomy +/- bilateral salpingoopherectomy (removal or ovaries and fallopian tubes). first-line option in early stage. +/-lymph node dissection.
- Chemoradiotherapy: may be combined with surgery. mostly given pre-op but can be given post-op
- Unfit for surgery: options can include vaginal hysterectomy (regional anesthetic), pelvic radiotherapy or hormonal therapy with progestogens or aromatase inhibitors.
- Fertility-sparing: <5% of EC occur in women under 45 years. Progestogens in selected patients
- Other: immunotherapies + biological therapies.
which virus is cervical cancer related to?
HPV (16 and 18)
what is the transformation zone of the cervix and how can it lead to cervical cancer?
ectropian occurs which is the eversion of endocervical columnar epithelium onto the ectocervix
columnar epithelium is replaced with squamous epithelium = sqaumous metaplasia and higher risk of cancers
what does the position of the squamocolumnar epithelium depend on
age
menstrual status
pregnancy status
hormonal contraceptives)
formation of the trasnformation zone is a normal physiological process
what are teh strains of virus that cuase genital warts?
HPV 6 and 8
risk factors for cervical cancer?
Missed screening
young age first intercourse
multiple sexual partners
exposure to HPV (no barrier contraception)
Smoking
High parity (> 5)
FHx
COCP long term use
Immunosuppression (HIV e.g. /AIDS)
what are the different types of cerivcal cancer
- SCC
- adenocarcinoma
(rare - small cell cancer and lymphoma)
what is the most common type of cervical cancer
- squamous cell carcinoma (70-80%)
clincial features of cervical cancer?
can be asymptomatic and picked up on screening
- intermenstrual bleeding
- postcoital bleeding
- Post-menopausal bleeding
- Malodorous discharge
- Blood-stained discharge
- Pelvic pain
- Dyspareunia
what investigations are done for cervical cancer?
bloods: FBC, U+Es, LFTs
Colposcopy +/- biopsy = gold standard
CT, MRI and PET- to see mets and disease extent
what is the name of the staging done in cervical cancer?
FIGO staging
stage 1: confined to cervix 80%
stage 2: beyond cervic but not pelvic side wall or lower 1/3 of vagina 65%
staeg 3: pelvic spread, reaches side wall or lower 1/3 vagina 40%
stage 4: adjacent organ spread or distant mets 20%
managment for cervical cancer?
surgery:
1. large loop excision of transformation zone OR simple hysterectomy
2. radical hysterectomy with lymphadenectomy
**for premenopausal ovarian conservation and fertility sparing treatments discussed
with disease > 4cm, chemoradiation is the treatment of choice
with mets: combo chemo, single-agent therapy and palliative radiotherapy
what are the key preventions of cervical cancer?
- HPV vaccine (first dose age 12/13 and second is 6 months later)
- screening
- safe sex
what are the two different types of ovarian cancer and which one is most common?
epithelial ovarian carcinoma (90%)
non epithelial ovarian carcinoma (10%)
name the different types of epithelial ovarian carcinoma
serous (60-70%)
endometrioid
clear cell
mucinous
transitional cell
undifferentiated
name the different types of non epithelial ovarian carcinoma
germ cell
sex cord and stromal tumours
carcinosarcoma
small cell cancer
what are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?
Age
Smoking
Obesity
Endometriosis (disputed )
Asbestos
nulliparity
early menarche
late menopause
IVF
HRT
FHx (BRCA1/2 or lynch syndrome)
(risk reduced with more pregnancies, breastfeeding and the COCP)
clinical features of ovarian cancer?
- Abdominal distension
- Early satiety (feeling full earlier than normal)
- Anorexia
- Change in bowel habit
- Abnormal or postmenopausal bleeding
- Pelvic or abdominal pain
- Urinary urgency
- Urinary frequency
- Weight loss
- Ascites
- Pelvic mass
** can prevent in advanced disease or symptoms may be mistaken for IBS, can present as a paraneoplastic syndrome or bowel obstruction due to ovarian adhesions
what tumour marker is used in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer?
CA-125 (raised in 80% of pts)
altho non specific therefore can be raised in pancreas, breast, lung, colon and endometrium cancer
or benign disease - PID, endometriosis, liver disease and 1st trimester of pregnancy
what investigations are done if ovarian cancer is suspected?
pelvic examination + FBC, U+Es, LFTs
USS + Ca125 marker testing for risk of malignancy index
AFP and hCG can be used for <40yo to test for non-epithelial ovarian cancers
CT scans (+ CXR) for staging
histological sample obtained via surgery after MDT discussion for diagnosis
what is the risk of malignancy index in ovarian cancer?
USS x Menopausal status x CA125 = RMI
premenopausal = 1
post menopausal = 3
USS graded: 0 if nothign present, 1 if one feature present, 3 if >=2 features present:
- multilocular cysts
- solid areas
- mets
- ascites
- bilateral lesions
what staging is used for ovarian cancer?
FIGO staging
stage 1: limtied to ovary/ovaries 90%
stage 2: spread to pelvic organs 60%
stage 3: spread to rest of peritoneal cavity, omentum, +ve lymph nodes30%
stage 4: distant mets, liver parenchyma, lung 5%
management of ovarian cancer?
surgery: can be used to confirm diagnosis, stage disease and remove tumour bulk all in one
Adjuvant chemotherapy: Carboplatin monotherapy or Carboplatin & Paclitaxel
in advanced disease - may need neoadjuvant chemotherapy
causes for menorrhagia? use pneumonia ‘PERIODS’
P: Polyps & PID
E: Endometriosis & Endometrial carcinoma
R: Really bad hypothyroidism
I: IUD
O: pcOs
D: Dysfunctional uterine bleeding
S: Submucosal fibroids
+ anticoagulants, coagulations disorders (platelets disorders, von willebrands), liver/renal disease
how to diagnose menorrhagi?
clinically it is said to be > 80ml blood loss
altho
diagnosis shld be agreement between patient and clinician that menstrual bleeding experienced is heavy (ask about QoL (accidents, distrupted sleep, unable to do sports) and anaemia features can help)
aroudn 40-60% of cases have no underlying cause (DUB)
what investigations can be done when a patient comes in with menorrhagia?
- FBC (iron deficiency anaemia)
- pregnancy test
referral to secondary care if suspected underlying malignancy (high risk) - can have USS and hysteroscopy + biopsy
managment of menorrhagia in primary care?
1st line: IUS
2nd line: tranexamic acid (only taken on days periods are heavy), NSAIDs, COCP
3rd line: POP, contraceptive injection, implant
what other red flag symptoms alongside menorrhagia wld warrant a referral to secondary care?
- Persistent intermenstrual or post-coital bleeding
- Unexplained vulval lump or vulval ulceration and bleeding
- Palpable abdo mass that is not a fibroid
- Clinical features of cervical cancer
management of menorrhagia in secondary care?
pharm: GnRH analogues
surgical: endometrial ablation, hysterectomy. Uterine artery embolization and myomectomy (for fibroids)
what are the most common types of vulval cancer?
SCC
what virus is linked to vulval cancer?
HPV virus
what is vulval intraepithelial neoplasia?
VIN is the precursor to vulval cancer
can present with itching/burning/pain
risk factors for vulval cancer?
HPV infection (50% caused by HPV) , lichen sclerosus and immunosuppression, chornic vulval irritation, smoking
name the clinical features for vulval cancer?
- vulval lump, ulceration or bleeding
- irregular fungating mass, irregular ulcer, or enlarged groin nodes
*mostly seen in elderly women
Ix to diagnose vulval cancer?
- physical examination
- biopsy
management ofr vulval cancer?
Surgical resection (+ radiotherapy/chemotherapy)
what is lichen sclerosus?
chronic progressive skin disorder that affects genital and perianal area
clinical features of lichen sclerosus?
Pruritus
Soreness or irritation
Dysuria
Dyspareunia
Anal symptoms: bleeding, fissures, painful defecation, pruritus ani.
Painful erections (men)
White atrophic plaques
Haemorrhagic lesions (i.e. blood blister)
Bullae (fluid filled lesion >5mm)
Ulcers
Lichenification
Adhesions and scarring
Phimosis
Meatal stenosis (in men)
what is extragenital lichen sclerosus?
can occur in 15% of cases
occurs on thighs, breasts, wrists, shoulders, back, neck.
Appearance (white skin): typically white papules or atrophic papules
Appearance (dark skin): hypo- or hyperpigmentatory papules
causes of lichen sclerosus?
exact cause unknown
- genetic
- infection
- hormonal (low oestrogen)
- immunlogical
diagnosis of lichen scleorsus/?
diagnosis made on characteristic appaerance then ocnfimred by punch biopsy done
pt can also be assessed for other autoimmune conditions
what is the malignancy risk associated with lichen sclerosus
- can increase chances of vulval and penile cancer
Women with lichen sclerosus should have the area of skin examined at least annually and non-resolving lesions biopsied, particularly hyperkeratotic areas
management of lichen sclerosus?
conservative: good hygeine, non soap cleaners, loose clothing, avoid scratching/rubbing
pharm: emollients, topical corticosteroids, intralesional corticosteroids (injections), topical calcineurin inhibitors, oral/topical retinoids, phototherapy or oestrogen pessaries/creams (in post menopausal)
surgical: can be done if malignancy suspected or extreme scarring, circumcision in men very useful ig phimosis present
what is FGM?
female gential mutilation is partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non medical reasons
what are teh different types of FGM?
Type 1:
Partial or total removal of the clitoral glans and/or the prepuce/hood
Type 2:
Partial or total removal of the clitoris and labia minora +/- removal of the labia majora
Type 3:
Infibulation: the narrowing of the vaginal opening through the creation of a covering seal.
– This is formed by cutting and repositioning the labia minor or majora, sometimes through stitching.
– May be with or without removal of the clitoral glans and hood/prepuce.
Type 4:
All other harmful procedures to the female genitalia for non-medical purposes (e.g. pricking, piercing, incising)
complications of FGM?
– Pain, bleeding, infection and scar tissue formation
– Vaginal problems –> discharge, pruritis, infections
– Menstrual problems –> dysmenorrhoea
– Sexual problems –> dyspareunia, reduced satisfaction
– Urinary problems -> dysuria, UTIs
– Childbirth complications
– psychological problems -> depression, anxiety, PTSD
role of a doctor in reporting FGM?
under FGM act 2003 if a age is <18yo and confirmed FGM - report to police within one month
what factors affect menstrual blood loss (menorrhagia specifically)
- higher parity = more likely to have menorrhagia
- gentetic correlation
- 4th decade of life, more likely to have menorrhagia
define metrorrhagia
heavy irregular bleeding! - no cycle
definition of amenorrhea
no bleeding for 6 months or more
what is dysfunctional uterine bleeding an how can you make a diagnosis?
it is primary menorrhagia
no underlying causes of menorrhagia and can onyl be diagnosed when you have excluded all causes of menorrhagia
- 60% of menorrhagia is DUB