Gynaecology Flashcards
Late menopause is a risk factor for what three cancers
- Endometrial Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Breast Cancer
Endometrial cancer is classically found in post-menopausal women. True or false
True. around 25% cases occur before menopause though
Risk factors for endometrial cancer
- Obesity
- Nulliparity
- Early menarche
- Late menopause
- Unopposed oestrogen
- Addition of progesteron to oestrogen (eg in HRT) reduces the risk
- Diabetes mellitus
- Tamoxifen
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
- Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma
What are some protective factors for endometrial cancer
- Combined oral contraceptive pill
- Smoking
Features of endometrial cancer
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Premenopausal women may have a change in intermenstrual bleeding
- Pain and discharge are unusual features
Investigations for endometrial cancer
- >= 55 yrs presenting with postmenopauusal bleeding needs to be referred using suspected cancer pathway
- First-line investigation: Trans-vaginal ultrasound
- Hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy
Normal endometrial thickness that has high negative predictive value
- < 4mm
Management of endometrial cancer
Localised disease
- Total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy
- High risk patients have post-op radiotherapy
- Progesteron therpay considered in frail elderly women not suitable for surgery
Salpingo = fallopian tube
hysterectomy = uterus
Nulliparity is a risk factor for which three cancers
- Ovarian cancer
- Endometrial cancer
- Breast cancer
Epidemiology and prognosis of ovarian cancer
- 5th most common malignancy in women
- Peak age of incidence = 60
- Poor prognosis due to late diagnosis
What is the most common origin for ovarian cancers and what sub-type makes up for 70-80% of this sub-type
- 90% epithelial cell in origin
- Of the 90%, 70-80% are serous carcinomas (low or high grade)
Risk factors for ovarian cancer
- Family History
- Mutations
- BRCA1 and BRCA2
- Increased ovulations
- Early menarche
- Late menopause
- Nulliparity
What factor reduces the risk of ovarian cancer
Combined oral contraceptive pill
Reduces number of ovulations (as does having many pregnancies)
Clinical features of ovarian cancer
Notoriously vague
- Abdominal distension
- Abdominal bloating
- Abdominal and pelvic pain
- Urinary syptoms (urgency etc)
- Early satiety
- Diarrhoea
Investigations for ovarian cancer
- CA125
- If ≥ 35 IU/mL -> urgent ultrasound of abdomen and pelvis
- CA125 should NOT be used to screen for ovariuan cancer in asymptomatic women
- Ultrasound
- Abdomen and pelvis
What other conditions usually show a raised CA125
- Ovarian Cancer
- Endometriosis
- Menstruation
- Benign ovarian cysts
Diagnosis of ovarian cancer
- Diagnostic laparotomy
How is ovarian cancer staged
- Stage 1: Confined to ovaries
- Stage 2: Local spread within the pelvis
- Stage 3: spread beyond the pelvis to the abdomen
Haematological and lymphatic routes are common but these occur after spread to local pelvis.
- Lymphatic spread: para-aortic lymph node
- Haem spread: liver
Management of ovarian cancer
Combination:
- Surgery
- Platinum-based chemotherapy
Prognosis of ovarian cancer
- 80% have advanced disease at presentation
- All stage 5-year survival is 46%
Mode of action of COCP
Inhibits ovulation
Mode of action of progesterone-only pill (excluding desogesterel)
Thickens cervical mucus
Mode of action of desogesterel-only pill
- Primary: Inhibit ovulation
- Also: Thickens cervical mucus
Mode of action for injectable contraceptive (medroxyprogesterone acetate)
- Primary: Inhibits ovulation
- Also: thickens cervical mucus
Modea of action of implantable contraceptive (etonogestrel)
- Primary: Inhibits ovulation
- Also: Thickens cercival mucus
Mode of action of intrauterine contraceptive device
- Decrease sperm motility and survival
Mode of action of intrauterine system (levonorgestrel)
- Primary: Prevents endometrial proliferation
- Also: thickens cervical mucus
Name three emergency contraceptions
- Levonorgestrel
- Inhibits ovulation
- Ulipristal
- Inhibits ovulation
- Itranuterine contraceptive device
- Primary: toxic to sperm and ovum
- Also: inhibits implantation
What are the NICE guidelines on routine care for the healthy pregnant woman
- 10 antenatal visits in the first pregnancy if uncomplicated
- 7 antenatal visits in subsequent pregnancies if uncomplicated
- Women do not need to be seen by consultant if pregnancy is uncomplicated
Describe how a bleed would present in cervical cancer
- Heavy vaginal bleeding usually unrelated to menstruation
- Post-coital bleeding is more typical presentation
- Bleeding is caused by ulceration of tumour and increased vascularity of the cancer
- Heavy bleeding tends to suggest fairly advanced cancer
Describe the bleed typically seen with fibroids
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or irregular bleeding#Causes bleeding by pressing on the endometrial lining causing erosion of the lining
- Can also compromise blood suppluy to the endometrial lining by pressure effect leading to endometrial shedding
Describe the bleed seen in a ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy
- Usually associated with severe pain
- Bleeds catastrophically
Bleeding per vaginally is a typical presentation for ovarian cancer. True or false
False
- Typical presentation = late presentation, abdominal swelling, pain , ascites
- Rarely, secrete oestrogen and unopposed oestrogen can stimulate heavy pv bleeding (similar to anovulatory cycle bleeds)
- Can also predispose endometrial cancer which is likely to cause bleeding
In a patient presenting with dysfunctional uterine bleedinge, what are four factors in her history could be related to her bleeding
- Family history of cancer
- Recent pregnancy or miscarriage
- Results of retained placental tissue
- Contraceptive use
- IUCDs cause excessive bleeding
- Oral contraceptives can cause bleeds if dosage and hormone combination does not suit patient
- Hot flushes
- and other menopausal symptoms
- Declining ovarian function can cause anovulatory cycles
- When ovulation fails, the corpus luteum does not form and progesterone is not produced.
- Endometrium continues to proliferate in the second half of the cycle as well as in the first half leading to a bulky endometrium
- this eventually sheds and results in heavy and prolonged bleeding often occuring at a longer interval than the normal cycle
- SMOKING NOT RELEVANT
What are three causes of a bulky uterus
- Endometrial carcinoma
- Fibroids
- Pregnancy
Andometritis is NOT a cause as it is inflammation of endometrium and does not cause bulking.
What are some investigations for a patient with heavy bleed and bulky uterus
- Full blood count
- Anaemia
- Pregnancy Test
- Pelvic Ultrasound
- Initial imaging modailty for bulky uterus
- MR if suspected endometrial malignancy
- Hysteroscopy
- Examine endometrial lining and sample for histology
- Anovulatory cycle, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer
- All as result of unopposed oestrogenic stimulation
Define a fibroid
- Benign leiomyoma (tumour of smooth muscle)
- May contain fibrous tissue as a result of fibrosis when it has been present for some time but it is not primarily a tumour of fibrous tissue
Describe the growth pattern of fibroids
- Most commonly occur 30-50 years
- Growth is dependent on ovarian hormones and therefore tend to grow during reproductive years
- They then tend to shrink after menopause
- Grow rapidly during pregnancy and can cause complications by undergoing infarction by out growing their blood supply or by causing opbstruction during delivery
- Commoner in black women than white women
Clinical features of uterine fibroids
- May be asymptomatic
- Menorrhagia
- Lower abdominal pain
- cramps during menstruation
- Bloating
- Urinary symptoms
- Frequency with larger fibroids
- Subfertility
Diagnosis of uterine fibroids
`Transvaginal ultrasound
Management of uterine fibroids
- Symptomatic management:
- CKS 1st line: Levonorgesterel-releasing intrauterine ystem
- Tranexamic acid or COCP
- GnRH agonist
- May reduce size of fibroid but are typically useful for short-term treatment
- Surgery
- Myomectomy
- Hysteroscopic endometrial ablation
- Hysterectomy
- Uterine aretery embolisation
What can be used pre-myectomy for uterine fibroid to reduce size of fibroids
GnRH agonist
Useful for short-term treatment
Two types of cervical cancer
- Squamous cell cancer (80%)
- Adenocarcinoma (20%)
What are some complications of fibroids in pregnancy
- Grow rapidly during pregnancy and can cause complications by undergoing infarction by out growing their blood supply
- Causes obstruction during delivery
How does endometriosis impair fertility
- Causes pelvic adhesions and distortion
- This interfers with tubal function and egg capture
What two investigations are useful in aiding the diagnosis of endometriosis
- Transvaginal ultrasound
-
Diagnostic laparoscopy
- GOLD Strnadard for diagnosis even if USS normal
What is a characteristic finding of endometriosis in diagnostic laparoscopy
- Powder burn spots affecting pelvic peritoneum
- Brown deposits under the peritoneum
What is an appropriate management for a patient with endometriosis
- Ablation of visible lesions during diagnostic laparoscopy
- Make sure patient is consentedand counselled before
What are some possible options after surgery to manage pain and prolong benefits of surgery in endometriosis
- Combined oral contraceptive pill
- Progesterone only pill
- GnRH analogue injections
Not ideal if fertility is a priority for patient
Define ovulatory/primary endometrial dysfunction
- Diagnosis for heavy bleeding that occurs in the absence of systemic or locally defineable genital tract
- Used to be called dysfunctional uterine bleeding
In a patient with ovarian/primary endometrial dysfunction, what treatmentoptions can you offer
- Anti-fibrinolytics
- Tranexamic Acid
- Mefenamic acid
- Non-hormonal therefore less side effects
- MA can help relieve pain
- Oral iron
- Correct anaemia until menstrual loss improved and normal Hb
- COCP
- Reduce menstrual loss
- hormonal therefore may have side effects
- Antibiotics if infection present
- Mirena Intrauterine system
- Only if patient is sexually active
What investigation is usually enought o make a diagnosis of iumperforate hymen
- Trans-abdominal ultrasound scan
Management of imperforate hymen
- Incision of the membrane under anaesthesia
- Drain accumulated blood to relieve urinary retention and abdominal distension
- Aspiration will be followed by re-accumulation of menstrual blood
What are some side effects of oestrogen (COCP)
- Fluid retention
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Venous thrombosis
- Increased cervical secretion/cervical erosion
What are some side effects of progesterone (COCP)
- Breast fullness
- Decreased libido
- Dry vagina
- Reduced menstrual flow
- Disturbaance in menstrual cycle
- Acne
- Premenstrual depression
What are some conditions that are contra indicated in COCP
- Pregnancy
- Migraine with aura
- Decompensated liver disease
- Positive anti-phospholibid antibodies
Benefits of hormone replacement therapy
- Control of menopausal symptoms
- Protection from osteoporosis
What are two proven risks of HRT
- Increased incidence of venous thromboembolism
- Increased incidence of endometrial cancer
What are absolute contraindications to starting HRT
- Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding
- Pregnancy
- History of venous thrombosis
- Severe liver disease
- Personal history of breast cancer
What are some risk factors for urinary incontinence
- Advancing age
- Previous pregnancy and childbirth
- High BMI
- Hysterectomy
- Family History
Classification of urinaruy incontinence
- Overactive bladder (OAB)/Urge incontinence
- Due to detrusor overactivity
- Stress incontinence
- Leaking small amounts when coughing or laughing
- Mixed incontinence
- Both urge and stress incontinence
- Overflow incontinence
- Bladder outlet obstruction (eg due to prostate enlargement)
Investigations for urinary incontinence
- Bladder diary for minimum 3 days
- Vaginal examination
- Exclude pelvic organ prolapse
- Ability to initiate voluntary contraction of pelvic floor muscles (Kegel exercise)
- Urine dipstick and culture
- Urodynamic studies
Management of urge incontinence
- Bladder retraining
- minimum 6 weeks, increase the intervals between voiding
- Bladder stabilising drugs
- Anti-muscarinics 1st line
- Oxybutinin (immediate release)
- Tolterodine (immediate release)
- Darifenacin (once daily preparation)
- Anti-muscarinics 1st line
- Mirabegron (Beta 3 agonist)
- Useful if there is concern about anticholinergic side-effects in frail elderly patients
What is the first line bladder stabilising drug class used in urinary incontinence and name some examples
- Anti-muscarinics 1st line
- Oxybutinin (immediate release)
- Avoid in frail older women
- Tolterodine (immediate release)
- Darifenacin (once daily preparation)
- Oxybutinin (immediate release)
Management of stress incontinence
- Pelvic floor muscle training
- NICE: at least 8 contractions performed 3 times per day for a minimum of 3 months
- Surgical
- Retropubic mid-urethral tape procedures
RCOG diagnostic criteria for hyperemesis gravidarum
- 5% pre-pregnancy weight loss AND
- Dehydration AND
- Electrolye imbalance
Occurs in 1% pregnancies and thought to be related to raised beta hCG levels
When does hyperemesis gravidarum commonly occur and how long may it persist for
- Common between 8 and 12 weeks
- Persists up to 20 weeks
Hyperemesis gravidarum is associated with what 5 factors
- Multiple pregnancies
- Trophoblastic disease
- hyperthyroidism
- Nulliparity
- Obesity
What factor is associated with a decreased incidence of hyperemesis
- Smoking
When would you consider admitting a patient with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy
- Continued N+V and is unable to keep liquids or oral anti-emetics
- Continued N+V with ketonuria and/or weight loss (>5% body weight) despite treatment with oral anti-emetics
- Confirmed or suspected co-morbidity (e.g. unable to tolerate oral antibiotics for a UTI)
- Lower threshold to admit if patient has co-existing condition (e.g. diabetes) which may be adversely affected by the N+V
What scoring system can be used to assess the severity of hyperemesis gravidarum
- Pregnancy-Unique Quantification of Emesis (PUQE)
Management of hyperemesis gravidarum
- Anti-histamines - 1st line
- NICE: Promethazine
- CKS: Cyclizine
- Ondansetron and metoclopramide 2nd line
- Meto can cause extrapyramidal SE
- Ginger and p6 (wrist) acupressuer
- little evidence
- Admission for IV hydration
Complications of hyperemesis gravidarum
- Wernicke’s encephalopathy
- Mallory-Weiss Tear
- Central pontine myelinolysis
- Acute Tubular Necrosis
- Foetal:
- Small for gestational age
- Pre term birth
When are serial serum Beta-hCG levels for 48hrs done
Less acute presentations of suspected ectopic pregnancy
At 1000 IU of serum B-hCG, what can be seen on a transvaginal ultrasound
- Gestational sac should be seen in the uterus
- A higher level of B-hCG and an epty uterus raises the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy
- Lower leverls usually requier repeating over 48 hours and a rise of 60% or more indicates a healthy progressing pregnancy
How does methotrexate work to treat an ectopic pregnancy
- Only use in non-ruptured ectopic pregnancy based on B-hCG levels
- Acts by destroying rapidly dividing cells (foetal and trophoblastic tissue)
- Avoids surgery and takes some time to work
- Not suitable for acute cases
- Not used if a mass is seen on TVUS
In a patient with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy (right tube), a diagnostic laparoscopy and salpingectomy was done to treat her. What would you avice this patient now?
Contraception
- Avoid copper intrauterine contraceptive device and progesterone only pill as RF for ectopic and increase risk of ectopic, respectively
Future pregnancies
- Early pelvic ultrasound scans when she gets pregnant to ensure intrauterine implantation and exclude ectopic
- No risk of uterine rupture at the attachment with the removed right tube in a subsequent pregnancy
List and the six types of miscarriages
- Threatened miscarriage
- Inevitable miscarriage
- Incomplete miscarriage
- Complete miscarriage
- Septic miscarriage
- Missed miscarriage
Describe features of threatened miscarriage
- Painless pv bleeding before 24 weeks (typically occurs at 6-9 weeks) but foetus is still alive.
- Uterus size is expected from the dates. Cervical Os is closed (14.3a).
- 25% go to miscarry.
Describe features of Inevitable miscarriage
- heavier bleeding. Foetus may still be alive.
- Cervical os is open.
- Miscarriage is about to occur
Describe features of incomplete miscarriage
- Some foetal parts have been passed.
- Os is usually open (14.3b)
Describe features of complete miscarriage
- all foetal tissue has been passed. Bleeding has diminished.
- Uterus no longer enlarged.
- Cervical os is closed
Describe features of spetic miscarriage
- contents of uterus are infected causing endometriosis.
- Vaginal loss is usually offensive. uterus tender. fever can be absent.
- If pelvic infection occurs there is abdo pain and peritonism
Describe features of missed miscarriage
- foetus has not developed or died in utero. This is not recognised until bleeding occurs or ultrasound is performed.
- Gestational sac before 20 weeks without symptoms of expulsion.
- Uterus smaller than expected form the dates.
- Os is closed (14.3c)
- When gestational sac is >25mm and no foetal part it is blighted ovumor anembryonic pregnancy
When can a clinical diagnosis of missed miscarriage be made
- Gestation sac is present but no evidence of foetal node.
- Sac is >20mm in diameter and/or foetal node is >5mm in length
What are the options for a patient with a (missed) miscarriage
- Surgical: Evacuation of retained products of conception (ERPC)
- Medical: combination of:
- Mifepristone
- Synthetic steroid, anti-progestin that blocks action of progesterone (P necessary to maintain pregnancy)
- Misoprostol
- Prostaglandin analogue (EP2, EP3, EP4 receptors)
- Binds to myometrial cells to cause strong myometrial contractions leading to expulsion of tissue
- Also causes cervical ripening with softening and dilation of the cervix
- Mifepristone
- Conservative: Discharge and review in early pregnancy clinic in 2 weeks
- Lowest chance of success (success = miscarriage completing itself)
- Least invasive intervention
What are some factors to counsel the patient about when going for Evacuation of retained products of conception (ERPC)
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Cervical Trauma
- Uterine Perforation
- Rateined Products of conception
- Repeat ERPC
Describe the stages of puberty in girls and at what ages do these happen
- 8 ys: Hypothalamic GnRH pulses increase in amplitude and frequency. LH and FSH release increases which then stimulate oestrogen release from ovary
- 9-11yrs: thelarce breast development as a result of oestrogen (hormone responsible for secondary sexual characteristics)
- 11-12yrs: adrenarche pubic hair growth (also dependent on adrenal activity)
- 13yrs: menarche menstruation starts. Irregular at first as oestrogen levels increase. Pregnancy is now possible
- 16yrs: growth has finished and epiphyses fuse.
At what age or how many days do the following occur:
- Menarche
- Menopause
- Menstruation length
- Cycle length
- Blood Loss
- Menarche <16yrs
- Menopause >45yrs
- Menstruation length 3-8d
- Cycle length 24-38d
- Blood Loss <80mL
Describe the hormones and changes involved in the menstrual cycle
Days 1–4: menstruation
At the start of the menstrual cycle (designated as the
first day of menstruation), the endometrium is shed as
its hormonal support is withdrawn. Myometrial contraction, which can be painful, also occurs.
Days 5–13: proliferative phase
Pulses of GnRH from the hypothalamus stimulate LH
and FSH release which induce follicular growth. The
follicles produce oestradiol and inhibin which suppress
FSH secretion in a ‘negative feedback’, such that (normally) only one follicle and oocyte mature. As oestradiol levels continue to rise and reach their maximum, however, a ‘positive-feedback’ effect on the hypothalamus and pituitary causes LH levels to rise sharply: ovulation follows 36 hours after the LH surge. The oestradiol also causes the endometrium to re-form and become ‘proliferative’: it thickens as the stromal cells proliferate and the glands elongate.
Days 14–28: luteal/secretory phase
The follicle from which the egg was released becomes
the corpus luteum. This again produces oestradiol,
but relatively more progesterone, levels of which
peak around a week later (day 21 of a 28-day cycle).
This induces ‘secretory’ changes in the endometrium,
whereby the stromal cells enlarge, the glands swell and
the blood supply increases. Towards the end of the
luteal phase, the corpus luteum starts to fail if the egg is
not fertilized, causing progesterone and oestrogen levels to fall. As its hormonal support is withdrawn, the endometrium breaks down, menstruation follows and the cycle restarts (Fig. 2.3). Continuous administration of exogenous progestogens maintains a secretory endometrium. This can be used to delay menstruation.
Define Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB)
- Any variation from normal menstrual cycle which includes changes in:
- Frquency (>38d or <24d apart)
- Regularity (cycle-to-cycle variation >20d or no bleeding in 6-month interval)
- Duration of flow (>8d or <3d bleeds)
- Volume (bleeding that interferes with QoL)
Taking the definition of abnormal uterine bleeds, what kind of problems fall under this term
- Volume: Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)
- Regularity (cycle to cycle variation): Irreguler bleeding, amenorrhoea
- Frequency: Infrequent menstrual bleeding (prev known as oligomenorrhoea), frequent bleeding
- Duration: Prolonged, shortened bleeding
- Irregular, non-menstrual bleeding: Intermenstrual, Post-coital, Pre or post-menstrual spotting
- Bleedig outside reproductive age: Postmenopausal bleeding, precocious menstruation
What is the most common complaint under abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB)
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB)
What are the causes of Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB)
PALM COEIN
Structural - evaluated and diagnosed on imagingand/or biopsy
- Polyps
- Adenomyosis
-
Leimyomas (fibroids)
- Submucosal
- Other
- Malignancy and hyperplasia
Non-structural
- Coagulopathy
- Ovulatroy dysfunction
- Endometrial (primary disorder of mechanisms regulating local andometrial haemostasis
- Iatrogenic
- Not yet specified
Define Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB)
Clinical
- Excessive blood loss that interferes with the woman’s QoL which can occur alone or with other symptoms
Objective
- Blood loss of >80 mL in an otherwise normal menstrual cycle
- Value corresponds with the max amount of blood loss without becoming iron deficient
1/3 women complain of HMB but most do not seek medical help
Two most common causes of HMB
- Uterine fibroids (30%)
- Polyps (10%)