Gynaecology Flashcards
Define heavy menstrual bleeding
Excessive menstrual blood loss which has an adverse impact on a woman’s quality of life
Give 3 causes of heavy menstrual bleeding
Fibroids Endometrial polyps Adenomyosis Pelvic infection Endometrial malignancy Anovulatory Ovulatory Clotting disorders
How should heavy menstrual bleeding be assessed and investigated?
History
Examination - abdominal, bimanual
Blood tests - FBC, coagulation (if long history/FH), thyroid (if other signs/symptoms)
Biopsy (persistent intermenstrual, >45 treatment failure)
Imaging (palpable uterus, pelvic mass, treatment failure) - US
How is heavy menstrual bleeding managed?
Pharmacological - non-hormonal (mefenamic acid, tranexamic acid), hormonal (pseudo-pregnancy, pseudo-menopause)
Surgical - endometrial ablation, hysterectomy
What are mefenamic acid and tranexamic acid?
Mefenamic - prostaglandin synthase inhibitor, take during menses
Tranexamic - antifibrinolytic, take during menses
Reduce bleeding by 50% when taken in combination
What are the pseudo-pregnancy medical hormonal management options for heavy menstrual bleeding?
COCP
Progestogens - systemic (POP, depo-provera, nexplanon), local (LNG-IUS/Mirena)
What is the pseudo-menopause medical hormonal management option for heavy menstrual bleeding?
GnRH analogues (inhibit FH and LH release)
What are the effects of progesterone receptor modulators?
Bind to progesterone receptor Act directly on endometrial blood vessels Induce amenorrhoea Shrink fibroids by 20-40% E.g. ulipristal acetate
What 2 things must be noted when sending a sample from a hormone sensitive tissue to pathology?
Time in cycle
Hormonal preparations being taken by patient
What does a Mirena coil do?
Thickens cervical mucus
Inhibits sperm from reaching egg
Thins uterine lining
What can the Mirena coil be used for?
Small fibroids Adenomyosis Endometriosis Contraceptive Progesterone component of HRT
What is contraindicated after endometrial ablation?
Pregnancy
Define amenorrhoea. What are the 2 types?
Absent menses
Primary - failure to menstruate by 15 years of age
Secondary - established menses stop for ≥6 months in absence of pregnancy
Define oligomenorrhoea
A cycle which is persistently greater than 35 days in length
What are the common causes of primary amenorrhoea?
Physiological delay
Weight loss/anorexia/heavy exercise
PCOS
Imperforate hymen
How is primary amenorrhoea assessed?
History - FH, weight, exercise, stress, sexual history
Examination - secondary sexual characteristics, Tanner staging
How is amenorrhoea investigated?
Bloods - FSH, LH, oestradiol, prolactin, TFTs US Karyotype XR for bone age Cranial imaging
What are the common causes of secondary amenorrhoea?
Pregnancy Lactation Menopause Weight loss/anorexia Heavy exercise Stress PCOS Hysterectomy Endometrial ablation Progestogen IUD
What are the Rotterdam criteria for PCOS diagnosis?
Clinical or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism
Oligomenorrhoea/amenorrhoea
US features of PCOS
What are the complications of PCOS?
Reduced fertility Insulin resistance and diabetes Hypertension Endometrial cancer Depression and mood swings Snoring and daytime drowsiness
How is PCOS managed?
Education Weight loss and exercise Endometrial protection (progesterone) Fertility assistance Awareness and screening
Define dysmenorrhoea
Excessive menstrual pain
How is the pain of dysmenorrhoea described?
Cramping lower abdominal pain
Radiates to lower back and legs
Associated with GI symptoms and malaise
Give 2 features of primary dysmenorrhoea
Begins with onset of ovulatory cycle
Typically occurs within first 2 years of menarche
Pain most severe on the day of/day prior to start of menstruation
What substance is implicated in primary dysmenorrhoea and how?
Prostaglandins
Increases contractility of myometrium
How is primary dysmenorrhoea managed?
Discussion and reassurance
Transabdominal US
Medical therapy - prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors (NSAIDs), COCP, depot progestogens, LNG-IUS
When does secondary dysmenorrhoea occur and what are its causes?
Many years after menarche
Pelvic pathology - endometriosis, adenomyosis, infection, fibroids
How is secondary dysmenorrhoea investigated and managed?
Genital tract swab (chlamydia)
Pelvic US (fibroids)
Laparoscopy (endometriosis)
Management depends on pathology
Define intermenstrual bleeding (IMB), post-coital bleeding (PCB) and post-menopausal bleeding (PMB)
IMB - bleeding between periods
PCB - bleeding after intercourse
PMB - bleeding >12 months after LMP
What are the causes of IMB and PCB?
Infection Trauma Polyp Cervical ectropion Malignancy Contraception Pregnancy
How are IMB/PCB investigated?
Cervical smear history
Speculum and bimanual examination - urgent colposcopy if cancer suspicion
STD screen
Urine pregnancy test
When is urgent gynaecology referral suitable for IMB/PCB?
Women >35 with >4 weeks of symptoms
When is routine gynaecology referral suitable for IMB/PCB?
Women <35 with >12 weeks of symptoms
Single heavy episode of bleeding at any age
When is simple reassurance suitable for IMB/PCB?
Women <35 with normal examination and results
Most will resolve within 6 months, consider changing hormonal contraception
What is the risk of cancer in post-menopausal bleeding?
5%
How is PMB investigated?
Transvaginal US
Biopsy if endometrial lining >3mm (non-HRT/CC-HRT users) or if EL >5mm (sequential HRT users)
Hysteroscopy/biopsy in tamoxifen users
What is the incidence of infertility and when should investigation start?
1 in 6
After 1 year
Name 5 benign gynaecological conditions
Vulva - Bartholin cyst/abscess, lichen sclerosus, genital herpes Cervix - ectopy, polyps Uterus - fibroids, polyps Fallopian tubes - PID, hydrosalpinx Ovary - cysts Endometriosis
How can a Bartholin gland abscess and cyst be differentiated?
Abscess - acute infection of the gland by bacteria, very painful
Cyst - chronic swelling after previous infection, painless
How are Bartholin gland abscesses/cysts managed?
Broad spectrum antibiotics
Marsupialisation (GA) or word catheter (LA)
What is lichen sclerosus?
Autoimmune condition causing patchy thinned white skin which is especially common in postmenopausal women
Give 3 signs/symptoms of lichen sclerosus
Itching Excoriation (can cause pain and painful sex) Whitened vulval skin Loss of labial and clitoral contours Narrowed entry to vagina
How can a diagnosis of lichen sclerosus be confirmed and how is it managed?
Clinical diagnosis, biopsy can confirm
Treatment - potent topical steroids (e.g. dermovate)
What are the signs/symptoms of genital herpes?
Painful vesicular rash
Dysuria
Dyspareunia
How is genital herpes managed?
Oral aciclovir 400mg 3x/day for 5-10 days
Self care - oral analgesia, salt water application, vaseline/lidocaine (painful micturition), increase fluid intake to dilute urine, urinate in bath to reduce stinging
What is cervical ectropion?
Columnar cells from the cervical canal are everted to the cervix
What are the symptoms of cervical ectropion and how is it managed?
Symptoms - none, chronic discharge, PCB
Treatment - cautery/cryotherapy/silver nitrate if symptomatic
What are the symptoms of cervical polyps and how are they managed?
Symptoms - none, PCB/PMB
Treatment - avulsion if symptomatic
What are the correct medical terms for fibroids?
Leiomyomas
Fibromyomas
What are fibroids?
Benign tumours of the myometrium
In what population are fibroids most common and faster growing?
Afro-Caribbean women
Why do fibroids grow during pregnancy and shrink after menopause?
Oestrogen dependent
Give 3 signs/symptoms of fibroids
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Abdominal swelling
Pressure symptoms - ureteric obstruction
Subfertility
Difficulties in pregnancy - miscarriage, red degeneration
Pain (torsion, degeneration)
Abdominal/pelvic mass
How are fibroids diagnosed?
Clinical suspicion confirmed by USS
MRI may be needed to plan management
How are fibroids managed?
Conservative
Medical - control symptoms (heavy bleeding), before surgery (GnRH analogues, ulipristal acetate)
Surgical - hysterectomy, myomectomy (preservation of fertility)
Uterine artery embolisation - minimally invasive
What are the symptoms of endometrial polyps, how are they diagnosed and how are they managed?
Symptoms - PMB, IMB, HMB
Diagnosis - TVUS, hysteroscopy and biopsy
Treatment - polypectomy
What is PID?
Pelvic inflammatory disease - salpingitis, tubo-ovarian abscess
Ascending infection from cervix e.g. chlamydia
What are the complications of PID?
Infertility
Ectopic pregnancy
Chronic pelvic pain
What are the symptoms of PID?
Asymptomatic Anorexia and general malaise Lower abdominal pain Deep dyspareunia Variable discharge (often purulent) PCB or IMB
What are the signs of PID?
Pyrexia Tachycardia Abdominal distension and tenderness, rebound and guarding Very tender on vaginal examination Discharge seen on speculum
What is Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome?
Peri-hepatic inflammation causing RUQ tenderness in PID
What investigations should be carried out for suspected PID?
Urine pregnancy test FBC and CRP (raised WCC and CRP) MSU (exclude UTI) Swabs (chlamydia) Transvaginal USS (tubo-ovarian abscess) Laparoscopy (uncertain, no improvement)
How is PID managed?
Empirical antibiotics when suspected - ceftriaxone 500mg IM stat, followed by oral doxycycline 100mg BD and metronidazole 400mg BD for 14 days
Pain refief - paracetamol, ibuprofen
Refer to GU medicine - further infection screening, contact tracing
What is hydrosalpinx?
A condition that occurs when the distal fallopian tube is blocked and fills with serous fluid
What are the symptoms of hydrosalpinx?
None
Pelvic pain
Subfertility
How is hydrosalpinx diagnosed and managed?
Diagnosis - suspected on TVU, laparoscopy, hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
Treatment - conservative (no symptoms), bilateral salpingectomy (pelvic pain), IVF for infertility
What are the 4 types of ovarian cyst?
Functional
Dermoid
Epithelial
Endometriotic
What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?
None
Pelvic pain
Abdominal/pelvic swelling
How are ovarian cysts diagnosed and managed?
Diagnosis - US/CT/MRI, CA125/CEA/aFP/hCG
Treatment - conservative (symptom free, <6cm), remove otherwise (cystectomy/oophorectomy)
What are the 2 types of functional cysts and how are they managed?
Follicular and luteal
Avoid unnecessary intervention, will normally resolve in 6-12 weeks
What is endometriosis?
Oestrogen-dependent benign inflammatory disease characterised by ectopic endometrium, often accompanied by cysts and fibrosis
What are the 3 types of endometriosis
Superficial peritoneal lesion (minimal and mild)
Deep infiltrating lesion (moderate and severe)
Ovarian cysts (endometriomas)
What are the signs/symptoms of endometriosis?
None Dysmenorrhoea Dyspareunia Pelvic pain Subfertility Fixed tender retroverted uterus
How is endometriosis investigated?
Suspected from history and exam
TVU, raised CA125
Laparoscopy and biopsy - gold standard
How is endometriosis managed?
Conservative (symptom free) Medical - NSAIDs, progestogens, COCP, Mirena (symptom relief) Prior to surgery - GnRH analogues Surgical - cautery, cystectomy IVF for infertility
What should be considered when assessing pelvic pain?
Lower abdominal pain
Acute - cyst torsion, PID, ectopic
Chronic - endometriosis, CPP
Is the pain cyclical and related to menstruation?
What are the symptoms of dysmenorrhoea?
Cramping lower abdominal pain
Radiation to lower back and legs
What are the 2 types of dysmenorrhoea?
Primary - idiopathic, onset soon after start of ovulatory cycle due to increased prostaglandin
Secondary - years after menarche, due to pelvic pathology
What is vulvodynia?
Sensation of vulval burning/pain with no obvious skin problem due to hypersensitivity of vulval nerve fibres (e.g. post-herpetic neuralgia)
How is vulvodynia managed?
Low dose TCA (e.g. amitriptylline)
Lubricant
Vulval care advice
What is chronic pelvic pain syndrome?
Intermittent/constant lower abdominal pain for >6 months not occurring exclusively with menstruation or intercourse and not associated with pregnancy
How is CPP investigated?
Allow time to listen to patient
Rule out any gynaecological pathology
Consider - IBS, interstitial cystitis, MSK, psychological/social issues, past/ongoing sexual abuse
How is CPP managed?
Medication - antispasmodics (IBS), NSAIDs (MSK)
Referral - urology, gastroenterology, surgery
MDT - chronic pain, psychology, PT, psychosexual therapy, self-help groups
What is the incidence of cervical cancer?
Two peaks - 25-29 years, >80 years
What are the risk factors for cervical cancer?
HPV (high risk 16 and 18) Smoking Early onset of sexual activity COCP use Multiple sexual partners Immunosuppression
How does HPV cause cervical cancer?
HPV releases proteins which bind to tumour suppressors, rendering cervical cells vulnerable to unchecked genetic changes
Outline the HPV vaccination programme
All girls aged 11-13
2 injections given at least 6 months apart
HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 - protection against cervical, vulval, vaginal and anal cancer and genital warts
10 year protection
Outline the cervical screening programme
Aims to detect and treat abnormal changes in a woman’s cervix which may develop into cervical cancer
25-65 year olds - 3 yearly until 50, 5 yearly from then on
What is the transformation zone of the cervix?
Junction between columnar epithelium of cervical canal and squamous epithelium of the outer cervix - location of dysplasia and carcinoma
If the cervix is visibly abnormal on speculum examination during a smear, what should be done?
Smear should not be taken as it is a screening test
Diagnostic test required - biopsy (punch or LETZ)
What is colposcopy and what is it for?
Referral for - abnormal screening smear or suspicious symptoms/cerix appearance
Colposcope (microscope) used to visualise cervix on application of acetic acid which highlights abnormal cells for biopsy
What is CIN? What is the significance of staging?
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia - abnormal, pre-cancerous cells
CIN 1 - low grade changes, given time to resolve
CIN 2 and 3 - high grade changes, treatment offered
How is CIN 2/3 managed?
Destructive - cold coagulation, cryotherapy
Excisional - LETZ, cold knife cone, laser excision
Follow up - 6 months smear
What subtypes of cervical cancer are there and which is the most common?
Squamous cell carcinoma (most common) Adenocarcinoma Adenosquamous carcinoma Endometroid Clear cell Serous Neuroendocrine (e.g. small cell)
How does cervical cancer present?
Vaginal bleeding Sero-sanguineous offensive vaginal discharge Obstructive renal failure Supraclavicular lymphadenopathy Asymptomatic
How should a woman with suspected cervical cancer be examined?
Supraclavicular palpation Abdominal exam Speculum Bimanual PR (assess parametrium) Colposcopy
What is the parametrium?
Fibrous and fatty connective tissue that surrounds the uterus Separates the supravaginal portion of the cervix from the bladder
How should a woman with suspected cervical cancer be investigated?
Bloods - FBC, U&Es, LFTs
Biopsy - punch or LETZ
Imaging - MRI, CT, PET
What staging is used in cervical cancer?
FIGO staging
Based on clinical examination - examination under anaesthetic/MRI, bloods and prognostic factors
What prognostic factors apply to cervical cancer?
Lymph node involvement
Lymphovascular space involvement
Parametrial extension
Outline FIGO staging for cervical cancer
Stage 1 - contained
Stage 2 - involves upper vagina/parametrium
Stage 3 - involves lower vagina/pelvic side wall/kidneys
Stage 4 - involves adjacent pelvic organs/distant organs
How is cervical cancer managed?
MDT discussion
Surgery - LETZ, trachelectomy, pelvic lymphadenectomy, hysterectomy
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy - cisplatin, external beam radiotherapy, vaginal vault brachytherapy
What is a trachelectomy?
Surgery for early stage cervical cancer that removes the cervix
Fertility sparing surgery as it does not remove the uterus meaning it may be possible to become pregnant in the future
How is advanced cervical cancer managed?
MDT - chemotherapy, radiotherapy, biologics
Guided by patient co-morbidity and wishes
Palliative medicine input
Nephrostomy/ureteric stent may be needed
What type of vulval cancers are there and which is the most common?
Squamous cell carcinoma (most common, 90%) Adenocarcinoma Melanoma BCC Sarcoma Metastatic
What are the risk factors for vulval cancer?
VIN HPV Squamous metaplasia Chronic skin conditions (e.g. lichen sclerosus) Smoking Immunosuppression
What are the 4 VIN types?
Usual - thickened, high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio, nuclear atypia, abnormal mitotic figures
Warty - papillary configuration, multinucleate cells, koilocytes, dyskeratotic cells
Basaloid - flat surface, less differentiated, high nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio
Differentiated - thickened epidermis, enlarged keratinoctyes, surface parakeratosis
What pattern may disease follow in vulval cancer?
Multifocal
Multicentric - vulva, vagina, cervix, perianal, anal, natal cleft
How does VIN present?
Pruritus Pain Ulceration Leukoplakia Lumps/warts Asymptomatic - may be noticed on smear
What are the commonest sites affected by VIN?
Labia majora
Labia minora
Posterior fourchette
How can the appearance of VIN be described?
Variable
Red/white plaques
Papular, polypoid, verruciform
How is VIN diagnosed?
Biopsy - incisional or excision
How is high grade VIN managed?
Exclude invasive disease, relieve symptoms, eradicate HPV, reduce progression to invasive disease, preserve anatomy and function, sustain remission
Observe or excise (surgery, ablation)
What methods of ablation can be used in high grade VIN?
Chemical - imiquimod (immune response modifier, 2-3x/week for 16 weeks, side effects limit complicance)
Laser
Photodynamic therapy
What are the signs/symptoms of vulval cancer?
Lump Pain Bleeding Discharge Swollen leg Groin lump Mass Ulceration Colour changes Elevation and irregularity of surface Lower limb lymphoedema
What staging is used for vulval cancer?
FIGO staging
Depth of invasion measured from deepest point of tumour to epithelial-stromal junction
Nodal status critical in predicting survival
Outline FIGO staging for vulval cancer
Stage 1 - confined
Stage 2 - involves lower vagina/urethra/anus
Stage 3 - involves nodes
Stage 4 - involves upper vagina/urethra/bladder/anus/pelvic bone/higher pelvis
What is the 5 year survival of cervical and vulval cancer?
Cervical - 67%
Vulval - 64%
How is vulval cancer managed?
Surgery - WLE, vulvectomy, inguinal lymphadenectomy
Reconstruction - grafts (split skin, full thickness), flaps (myocutaneous, fasciocutaneous, lotus petal)
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
What prognostic factors are applicable to vulval cancer?
Depth of involvement Involvement of other structures Histological sub type Lymphovascular space invasion Excision margins Nodes
What are the complications of lymphadenectomy in vulval cancer?
Delayed wound healing Infection Wound breakdown Lymphoedema Recurrent infection (erysipelas)
What is erysipelas?
Relatively common bacterial infection of the superficial layer of the skin (upper dermis), extending to the superficial lymphatic vessels within the skin, characterized by a raised, well-defined, tender, bright red rash, typically on the face or legs, but which can occur anywhere on the skin
What are the types of ovarian cancer and what is the most common?
Epithelial (most common, 90%)
Germ cell (oocytes)
Stromal
Metastasis (Krukenburg - mucin-filled signet-ring cells)
What are the 2 types of epithelial ovarian cancer?
High grade serous - resembles fallopian tube mucosa, P53 mutations
Ovarian surface/Mullerian inclusion cysts - endometrioid, clear cell, mucinous, low grade serous
What are the 3 routes of ovarian cancer spread?
Direct extension (transcoelomic) Exfoliation into peritoneal cavity Lymphatic invasion
What are the risk factors for ovarian cancer?
Smoking Low parity Oral contraceptives Infertility Tubal ligation Early menarche Late menopause