Gynaecological Cancers Flashcards
Where is ovarian cancer usually found? and Where does it spread to?
Attaches to the surface of the organ rather than invading the parenchyma
Peritoneal cavity
Bowel mesentery
Liver capsule
What are the causes of ovarian cancer?
BRCA mutation
Precursor lesion
p53 mutation
What is the most common cause of gynaecological cancer death?
Ovarian
What are the signs & symptoms of ovarian cancer?
Asymptomatic Weight loss Fatigue Pressure effects on bowel & bladder Bloating/feeling full/loss of appetite Pelvic/abdo pain Dragging sensation Urinary frequency/urgency (pressure effects)
What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?
Nulliparity/continuous ovulation Early menarche/late menopause HRT Endometriosis Difficulty conceiving Genetics: BRCA 1-2, Lynch II Syndrome
COCP-Protective
When is a 2week wait appropriate for query ovarian cancer?
Ascites
Abdo/pelvic mass NOT fibroids
What markers can be considered for ovarian cancer?
Ca125: Serous, endometrioid
Ca19.9: Mucinous
CEA
How specific is Ca125?
Not very
Also elevated in inflammation & during periods
What other investigations can be done for ovarian cancer?
Abdo exam, palpate supraclavicular lymph nodes, breast/chest/vaginal/rectal exam Staged at time of laparotomy Pelvic USS Biopsy Staging: CT & MRI Ascites: Paracentesis Peritoneal biopsy & washing
How is ovarian cancer treated?
Stage 1: TAH & bilateral S-O
OR unilateral S-O without TAH
Retroperitoneal lymph node assessment
Stage 2-4: TAH, lymph node dissection, bilateral S-O
Adj: Omentectomy & platinum based chemo
What are the stages of ovarian cancer and which stage do most ovarian cancers present?
- Macroscopically confined to ovaries
- Beyond ovaries confined to pelvis
- Beyond pelvis confined to abdomen
- Disease beyond abdomen
MOST PRESENT: Stage 3 or 4
Most common gynaecologist cancer causing death
What are the malignant types of ovarian cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinofibroma
SCC
Transitional cell carcinoma
What are the benign types of ovarian cancer?
Cystadenoma
Epiermoid cyst
Adenofibroma
What type of cancer makes up the majority of vulval cancers?
SCC
What is a pre-cancerous sign of vulval cancer?
Lichen Sclerosus (autoimmune loss of collagen leading to thin epithelium) Progresses to differentiated VIN
How is vulval cancer investigated?
Incisional biopsy >1mm