Gynaecological Oncology Flashcards
Screening programmes, Cervical, endometrial, ovarian and vulval malignancy, Endometrial hyperplasia, CIN, lichen sclerosis et atrophicus, postmenopausal bleeding
Cervical cancer numbers peak at what age?
Reproductive years
80% of cervical cancers are what type?
Squamous cell Carcinoma
80% of cervical cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. The next most common type are:
Adenocarcinoma
Cervical cancer is strongly associated with…
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
To reduce the risk of cervical cancer, children aged 12-13 years are vaccinated against…
HPV
Vaccinating children aged 12-13 against HPV helps to…
reduce the risk of cervical cancer
Cervical screening with smear tests screens specifically for:
precancerous and cancerous changes to the cells of the cervix
Why is cervical screening beneficial?
early detection of precancerous changes to the cervix enables prompt treatment to prevent the development of cervical cancer
The most common cause of cervical cancer is:
Infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Different cancers associated with HPV:
- cervical
- anal
- vulval
- vaginal
- penis
- mouth
- throat
HPV is a ___ ___ infection
sexually transmitted
The strains of HPV responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and the ones targeted with the HPV vaccine are:
Type 16 and 18
Treatment for HPV infection?
there is NO treatment. Most cases resolve spontaneously within 2 years, whilst some persist
England, Wales and Scotland are using HPV primary screening for cervical cancer which is:
testing the cervical cells for the HPV virus first and then the lab will look to see if you have high-risk HPV. If high-risk is found, the lab will test samples for cell changes
The NHS cervical screening programme invites women from age ___ to ___for cervical screening
25 to 64
Women get an invite for cervical screening every ___ to ___ years, depending on age and where you live
3 to 5
You get a cervical screening invite every ____ years if you are aged 25-49
3
You get an invite for cervical screening every ____ years if you are aged 50-64
5
If a woman tests positive for HPV from their cervical screening, they are then invited for a…
Colposcopy
The cervical changes seen on colposcopy are called
Dyskaryosis
The HPV vaccine is offered to girls aged
12-13
CIN stands for
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia is
abnormal changes to the cells of the cervix that is not cancerous but can progress to become cancerous (often caused by persistent HPV)
Invasive cervical cancer occurs when
when the basement membrane of the epithelium has been breached
Most common sites of metastasis in cervical cancer:
- lung
- liver
- bone
- bowel
The low risk serotypes of HPV that just cause genital warts are:
HPV 6 and 11
Oncogenic function of HPV 16 and 18:
They produce proteins which inhibit the tumour suppressor protein p53 in cervical epithelial cells, allowing for uncontrolled cell division
General categories of cervical cancer risk factors:
- ones that increase the risk of catching HPV
- Later detection of precancerous and cancerous changes (non-engagement with screening)
- Other risk factors
Risk factors for cervical cancer associated with an increased risk of catching HPV?
- early sexual activity
- increased no. of sexual partners
- sexual partners who have had more partners
- not using condoms
Other risk factors for cervical cancer apart from HPV?
- smoking
- HIV
- COCP use for more than 5 years
- increased no. of full-term pregnancies
- Family history
- exposure to diethylstilbestrol during fetal development (was previously used to treat miscarriage before 1971)
How often are patients with HIV offered a smear test and why?
every year, bc it is a risk factor for cervical cancer
Presenting symptoms of cervical cancer:
- can be asymptomatic** often**
- abnormal vaginal bleeding of any kind (intermenstrual, post-coital or post-menopausal) most common
- vaginal discharge (blood-stained, foul-smelling)
- pelvic pain
- dyspareunia (pain or discomfort in sex)
- weight loss
Abnormal appearances of the cervix that can be suggestive of cancer:
- ulceration
- inflammation
- bleeding
- visible tumour
Cervical cancer advanced disease symptoms (due to cancer invading nearby structures) :
- oedema
- loin pain
- rectal bleeding
- radiculopathy
- haematuria
Clinical examinations for suspected cervical cancer:
- speculum exam (for bleeding, discharge & ulceration)
- bimanual exam (for pelvic masses)
- GI exam (for hydronephrosis, hepatomegaly, rectal bleeding, mass on PR)
Cervical cancer can cause urinary issues because
it can invade its nearby structures and eg. can cause ureter blockage etc
Differential diagnosis for abnormal vaginal bleeding:
- STIs
- cervical ectropion
- polyp
- fibroids
- pregnancy-related bleeding
post-menopausal- always exclude endometrial carcinoma
initial investigations for cervical cancer in pre-menopausal women
- Test for chlamydia trachomatis (if positive, treat it. If symptoms persist after treatment=more investigations)
- colposcopy
- biopsy
initial investigations for cervical cancer in post-menopausal women
- urgent colposcopy and biopsy
A colposcopy is where
a colposcope (modified microscope) is used to produce a magnified view of the cervix. Acetic acid is used to stain dysplastic areas and a biopsy is taken
Further investigations required after a confirmed diagnosis of cervical cancer
- basic blood tests
- CT chest-abdo-pelvis (looking for mets)
- Further staging scans eg. MRi pelvis, PET
- +/- exam under anaesthesia with further biopsies
CIN is diagnosed at
colposcopy (NOT with cervical screening)
The grades of CIN:
CIN I: mild dysplasia
CIN II: moderate dysplasia
CIN III: severe dysplasia (also known as cervical carcinoma in situ)
Dysplasia is found during ____
Dyskaryosis is found on ____
- colposcopy
- dyskaryosis
Exceptions to the normal cervical screening programme schedule:
- women with HIV are screened annually
- women over 65 may request a smear if they’ve not ahd one since aged 50
- women with previous CIN may require additional tests eg. test of cure
- certain groups of immunocompromised women may have additional treatment (cytotoxic drugs or undergoing organ transplant)
- pregnant women due a smear should wait until 12 weeks post-partum
Other infections that can be indentified and reported on in a smear result
- bacteria vaginosis
- candidiasis
- trichomoniasis
during a smear on a women with an IUD ____ are often discovered
Actinomyces-like organisms (don’t require treatment unless symptomatic)
If smear results are HPV positive with normal cytology, what happens next?
repeat the HPV test after 12 months
If smear results are HPV positive with abnormal cytology, what happens next?
refer for colposcopy
If smear results come back as an inadequate sample, what happens next?
repeat the smear after at least three months
If smear results come back as HPV negative, what happens next?
continue routine screening
A large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ) procedure is also called a ……
Loop biopsy
Process of LLETZ to get a tissue sample in cervical biopsy
It involves using a loop of wire with electrical current (diathermy) to remove abnormal epithelial tissue on the cervix. The electrical current cauterises the tissue and stops bleeding.
Ways to get a biopsy of tissue during coloscopy:
Punch Biopsy or large loop excision of the transformational zone (LLETZ)
____ and ____ should be avoided after an LLETZ procedure to reduce the risk of infection
Intercourse and Tampon use
A cone biopsy is a treatment for
cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and very early-stage cervical cancer.
What is the cone biopsy process?
It involves general anaesthetic and the surgeon removes a cone-shaped piece of the cervix using a scalpel. This sample is sent for histology to assess for malignancy.
Risks of cone biopsy
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Scar formation with stenosis of the cervix
- Increased risk of miscarriage and premature labour
Staging of Cervical Cancer
International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system
Stage 0: carcinoma in situ
Stage 1: Confined to the cervix
A) identified only microscopically
B) gross lesions, clinically indetifiable
Stage 2: Invades the uterus or upper 2/3 of the vagina
Stage 3: Invades the pelvic wall or lower 1/3 of the vagina
Stage 4: Invades the bladder, rectum or beyond the pelvis (metastases)
Surgical treatment of CIN and early-stage 1a cervical cancer:
LLETZ or cone biopsy
Surgical treatment of stage 1B-2A Cervical cancer
Radical hysterectomy and removal of local lymph nodes with chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Surgical treatment of stage 2B-4A cervical cancer
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy
Surgical treatment of stage 4B cervical cancer
Management may involve a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and palliative care
Pelvic exenteration is
an operation that may be used in advanced cervical cancer. It involves removing most or all of the pelvic organs, including the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder and rectum. It is a vast operation and has significant implications on quality of life.
____ is the gold standard treatment for stage 1b to 3 cervical cancer
Chemoradiation therapy