Gynaecology Flashcards
what are the 4 causes of ovarian cancer?
- epithelial ovarian tumours
- germ cell tumours
- sex cord-stromal tumours
- metastatic tumours
which is the most common type of ovarian cancer?
epithelial ovarian (85-90%)
features of an ovarian germ cell tumour
- common in younger women (<35)
- high survival rate
- presents as a rapidly enlarging abdominal mass, can rupture or undergo torsion
where may tumours metastasise from to cause ovarian cancer?
breast, GI tract, haemopoietic system, uterus, cervix
risk factors of ovarian cancerr
- increased age
- lifestyle
- talcum powder use pre-1975
- history of infertility / use of fertility drugs (clomifene)
- nulliparous women (never given birth)
- early menarche/ late menopause
- FH
- HRT
- endometriosis
where is the gene mutation located in patients with familial ovarian cancer?
BRCA 1 and 2
epidemiology of ovarian cancer
1/5 most common cancer in women
incidence rate increases with age, peaks around 70-80
clinical presentation of ovarian cancer
- majority present late (stage III or IV)
- insidious onset
- IBS- like symptoms
- abdominal discomfort, distention, bloating
- urinary frequency
- dyspepsia
- fatigue
- weight loss
- pelvic or abdominal mass associated pain
- abnormal uterine bleeding
- ascites
differential diagnosis of ovarian cancer
- benign ovarian tumour/ cyst
- uterine or tubal mass
- endometriosis
- bowel mass
- primary peritoneal carcinoma
- secondary carcinoma
diagnostic tests and results in ovarian cancer
- clinically- symptoms+age= likely
- Ca125- tumour marker
- USS + CT pelvis and abdo
- CXR- pleural effusion/ lung mets
staging of ovarian cancer
1- limited to ovaries
2- involves one or both ovaries with pelvic extension and/or implants
3- involves one or both ovaries with microscopically confirmed peritoneal implants outside pelvis
4- one or both ovaries with distant mets
treatment of ovarian cancer
- total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy (lymphadenectomy may be required also)
- chemotherapy for III/IV after surgery
- radiotherapy can be used in early disease
what is endometrial cancer?
cancer of the endometrium that arises from the lining of the uterus and is an oestrogen dependent tumour
risk factors for endometrial cancer
- prolonged exposure to unopposed oestrogen
- nulliparous
- late menopause
- obesity
- endometrial hyperplasia
- HNPCC
- PCOS
- diabetes
- tamoxifen
what are the 2 types of andenocarcinoma’s seen in endometrial cancer?
type 1- oestrogen- dependent endometioid
type 2- oestrogen- independent non-endometrioid
epidemiology of endometrial cancer
90% of women are over 50 %
clinical presentation of endometrial cancer
- early sign- post menopausal/ abnormal uterine bleeding
- heavy/ irregular periods in pre-menopausal women
diagnosis of endometrial cancer
- clinical examination usually normal
- Transvaginal US scan (looking for endometrial thickness >4mm)
- endometrial pippelle biopsy if thickness >4mm
- hysteroscopy
treatment of endometrial cancer
total abdominal/ laparoscopic hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy (with possible lymphadenopathy depending on stage)
- post op chemo
what causes cervical cancer?
persistent infection with human papillomavirus (HPV)
in cervical cancer, what is CIN?
CIN= Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (also known as cervical dysplasia)
abnormal growth of cells on the surface of the cervix that could lead to cervical cancer
what are the 3 grades of CIN?
CIN I= lower basal 1/3 of cervical epithelium
CIN II= affects <2/3 of cervical epithelium
CIN III= affects >2/3 of full thickness of epithelium
who is screened for cervical cancer?
25-49- every 3 years
50-65- every 5 years
what is dyskaryosis?
dyskaryosis= abnormal nucleus and refers to the abnormal epithelial cell which may be found in cervical sample.
graded from low to high based on degree of abnormality
what tests and management plan are used for a borderline/ mild dyskaryosis?
test for HPV
negative= back to routine
positive= colposcopy
what tests and management plan are used for a moderate dyskaryosis?
urgent colposcopy within 2 weeks
consistent with CIN grade ii
what tests and management plan are used for a severe dyskaryosis or a suspected invasive cancer?
urgent colposcopy within 2 weeks, consistent with CIN III
what is the management plan if an inadequate cervical smear is provided?
repeat smear
if consistently inadequate, then colposcopy
risk factors for cervical cancer
- persistence of HPV (high risk- HPV 16 and 18)
- early intercourse (under 16)
- multiple sexual partners
- smoking
- lower social class
- immunosuppression (HIV, post-transplant)
- COCP (combined oral contraceptive)
what are the 3 most common primary tumours seen in cervical cancer?
- bulky, ectocervical tumour (fills upper vagina)
- invasive, bulky tumour that can fill lower pelvis
- destructive, invasive tumour that erodes tissues, causing ulceration and excavation with infected, necrotic cavities
70%= squamous cell
most common ages cervical cancer is seen in
25-34
clinical presentation of cervical cancer
- abnormal vaginal bleeding (post coital)
- vaginal discharge
- post-micturition bleeding
- vaginal discomfort/ urinary symptoms
- haematuria
- polyuria
differential diagnosis of cervical cancer
- cervicitis
- dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- PID
- endometrial cancer
diagnosis of cervical cancer
- colposcopy/ cystoscopy- looking for irregular cervical surface
- punch biopsy
- bimanual examination
PET for staging
how is cervical cancer treated?
surgery- local excision (in a mild disease presentation) or full hysterectomy
chemotherapy- cisplatin
how is cervical cancer managed in pregnant women?
treatment delayed until a viable fetus can be delivered
in serious cases, therapeutic abortion may be necessary
aetiology of vulval cancer
- Vulval intreepithelial neoplasia (HPV)
- lichen sclerosis
- squamous (90%)
symptoms of vulval cancer
- vulvar itching
- persistent ‘lump’
- post-menopausal bleeding
- pain passing urine
- past history of VIN
diagnosis of vulval cancer
USS
treatment of vulval cancer
surgery and radiotherapy
what causes vaginal cancer?
- HPV related
- metastatic spread- cervical, uterine, vulval
- pelvic radiotherapy
- long term vaginal inflammation from pessaries
commonly squamous
presentation, treatment and prognosis of vaginal cancer
bleeding
radiotherapy
poor prognosis 58% 5 year survival
what can cause atrophic vaginitis?
caused by falling oestrogen levels
- menopause
- oohrectomy
- anti-oestrogenic treatment- tamoxifen, aromatise inhibitors
- radio/chemotherapy
- post-partum
what changes of the mucosa and the vagina are seen in atrophic vaginitis?
- thinner, drier, less elastic, fragile mucosa
- inflamed vaginal epithelium
- change in vaginal pH (can result in UTI’s)
- pelvic laxity and STRESS INCONTINENCE
symptoms of atrophic vaginitis
- vaginal dryness
- burning/ itching of the vagina
- dysparaeunia
- vaginal discharge
- post-coital and post-menopausal bleeding
- urinary symptoms- polyuria, nocturia, dysuria, UTI’s, stress incontinence
clinical signs of atrophic vaginitis
- reduced pubic hair
- painful vaginal examination
- lack of vaginal folds
differential diagnosis of atrophic vaginitis
- genital infections
- uncontrolled diabetes
- local irritation due to soap etc
how is atrophic vaginitis diagnosed ?
- diagnosis of exclusion
- TVS- transvaginal ultrasound to rule out pathology
treatment of atrophic vaginitis
- vaginal lubricants
- vaginal oestrogen
- HRT
definition of atrophic vaginitis
thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal mucosa and epithelium that occurs due to a decrease in oestrogen
what are fibroids?
common benign tumours of the smooth muscle cells of the uterine myometrium
- stimulated by oestrogen and progestogens
how are fibroids classified?
according to position in uterine wall
- intramural- within endometrium
- submucosal- growing into the uterine cavity
- subserosal- growing outwards from uterus (can be uterine, cervical, intraligamentous, pedunculated subserous)
aetiology of fibroids
genetic
risk factors for fibroids
- obesity
- early menarche
- afro-carribean
- age 30-40
- first degree relatives who had fibroids
- COCP
- pregnancy
clinical presentation of fibroids
- 50% asymptomatic
- prolonged, heavy periods
- pelvic pain
- recurrent miscarriage
- sub-fertility
differential diagnosis of fibroids
- dysfunctional uterine bleeding
- endometrial polyps
- pelvic inflammatory disease
- ovarian tumour
- pregnancy
diagnosis of fibroids
- pregnancy tests
- FBC- anaemia
- TVUS
- MRI
treatment of fibroids
- tranexamic acid (antifibrinolytic agent)
- GnRH agonists (goserelin)- shrinks fibroids
- ulipristal acetate- progesterone receptor modulator
- surgical- myomectomy
- uterine artery embolisation
- hysterectomy
what are the 3 types of ovarian cyst and which is most common?
- functional (24%)
- benign (70%)
- malignant (6%)
what are 3 benign neoplastic causes of ovarian cysts?
- benign epithelial neoplastic cysts
- benign neoplastic cystic tumours of germ cell origin
- benign neoplastic solid tumours
what are 3 benign fibrous causes of ovarian cysts?
- adenofibroma
- teratoma
- brenner tumour
what is a brenner tumour?
- rare ovarian tumour which displays in either a benign, borderline, proliferative or malignant variant
risk factors of ovarian cysts
- obesity
- tamoxifen therapy
- early menarche
- infertility
- dermoid cysts- teratoma
when are ovarian cysts most commonly seen (epidemiology)
pre-menopausal women
clinical presentation of ovarian cysts
- pain- dull ache, lower back pain, pain in lower abdo
- irregular vaginal bleeding
- swollen abdomen with palpable mass, dull to percussion
- torsion, infarction or haemorrhage- severe pain
- irregular vaginal bleeding
what findings on clinical examination would indicate the presence of an ovarian cyst?
- swollen abdomen with palpable mass that is dull to percussion
- ascites- malignancy
ovarian cysts- what can a hormone-secreting tumour cause?
- virilisation
- menstrual irregularities
- post-menopausal bleeding
differential diagnosis of ovarian cysts
- non-neoplastic functional cysts
- PCOS
- endometrioma
- ovarial malignant tumour
- bowel problems
- PID
diagnostic tests and results in ovarian cysts
- pregnancy test
FBC (infection, haemorrhage)
- TVS
- diagnostic laparoscopy
- CA125- ovarian cancer tumour marker
what is the risk of malignancy index (RMI) used for and how is it scored?
RMI= suspected ovarian cancer
is a product of the USS score (below), menopausal status and serum Ca125 levels
USS score (1 point for each)
- multi-ocular cysts
- solid areas
- metastases
- ascites
- bilateral lesions
what is a Rokitansky’s Protuberance and what does it indicate?
a solid protuberance from a mature dermoid cysts- indicates a teratoma
management of a small, medium and large ovarian cyst
small (<50mm) does not require follow up
medium (50-70mm) yearly US follow up
larger= MRI
what surgery is required in the treatment of ovarian cysts?
cystectomy
oopherectomy
how does ovarian torsion present?
- sudden onset deep seated colicky pain
- iliac fossa pain radiating to loin, groin or back
- low grade fever
- pain may start to improve after 24h- ovary dies at this point
- vomiting and distress
what would an US show in a patient with ovarian torsion?
free fluid (oedema)- due to a cut off of venous supply
- whirlpool sign- wrapping of vessels around a central axis
- potential volvulus
how is ovarian torsion diagnosed and managed?
laparoscopy
what is Mittelschmerz?
- mid cycle pain associated with ovulation
- sharp onset
- settles over 24-48 hours
what is endometriosis?
chronic, oestrogen dependent condition characterised by the growth of endometrial tissue in sites other than the uterine cavity
where is endometriosis most common?
- pelvic cavity
- uterosacral ligaments
- pouch of Douglas
- rectosigmoid colon
- bladder
- distal ureter
what is adenomyosis?
invasion of the endometrial tissue intro myometrium
aetiology of endometriosis
- retrograde menstruation
- impaired immunity
risk factors for endometriosis
- early menarche
- late menopause
- delayed childbearing
- short menstrual cycles
- obstruction to vaginal outflow
- defects of uterus or fallopian tubes
- genetic predisposition
give 2 protective factors for endometriosis
- multiparity
- COCP
what is the triad of symptoms classically seen in endometriosis?
- dysmenorrheoa
- deep dyspareunia
- cyclic/ chronic pelvic pain