Gynecology Part 3 Flashcards
What is the most common gynecological cancer in the US?
Endometrial Cancer
T/F: Endometrial cancer generally has a poor prognosis.
False: Endometrial cancer is the most survivable of all GYN cancers
What screening test is done for endometrial cancer?
There is none - patients are typically symptomatic at an early stage
What is the hallmark sign or symptom of endometrial cancer?
Heavy vaginal bleeding
What is Lynch Syndrome and how is it related to endometrial cancer?
Lynch Syndrome is autosomal dominant condition associated with high risk of colorectal and endometrial cancer. Patients get routine biopsies to screen for endometrial cancer.
List risk factors for developing endometrial cancer.
Inc age, Lynch syndrome, inc estrogen (PCOS, overweight, estrogen tumor, etc.), nulliparity, early menarche, late menopause, family Hx of endometrial CA
What medication used to treat breast cancer increases risk of endometrial cancer?
Tamoxifen - SERM that stimulates estrogen receptors in the endometrium
List some protective factors that reduce the risk of endometrial cancer.
OCPs, parity, breast feeding, early menopause, lean habitus, smoking
What S/S should trigger a biopsy to assess for endometrial cancer?
Prolonged, frequent, or heavy menses, any post-menopausal vaginal bleeding
What is the most common type of endometrial cancer?
Adenocarcinoma
What imaging is used to assess for endometrial cancer in a patient that presents with abnormal vaginal bleeding and what is a normal result?
Transvaginal US is test of choice. Endometrial thickness < 5mm is normal in post-menopausal women. Endometrial thickness varies through the menstrual cycle in pre-menopausal women.
When should an endometrial biopsy be obtained and how is it obtained?
Endometrial thickness > 4mm in post-menopausal women. Obtained via suction curette –> simple office procedure.
List the four categories of endometrial hyperplasia in order from lowest risk of progressing to cancer to highest risk.
Simple - lowest risk
Complex
Simple Atypical
Complex Atypical - highest risk (treat as CA)
Define the 4 stages of endometrial cancer.
1: confined to uterus
2: invades cervix
3: serosa/adnexa, vagina/perimetrium, lymph nodes
4: invades bladder/bowel or distant metastases
What is the treatment for endometrial cancer?
Dependent on staging. Stage 1 = 1 hysterectomy. Stage 2+ = radical hysterectomy plus chemo/radiation
Differentiate a hysterectomy from a radical hysterectomy.
Hys: removal of uterus (may/may not include cervix)
Rad: removal of uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries
What are the three anatomical parts of the ovaries?
Epithelium, stroma, and germ cells
In what part of the ovary does ovarian cancer originate?
Can originate in any portion –> epithelial ovarian cancer is most common
What is the least survivable gynecological malignancy?
Ovarian cancer –> typically asymptomatic until late stages
List the risk factors for ovarian cancer.
Nulliparity, early menarche, late menopause, positive BRCA, Lynch syndrome, high fat diet
What are some protective factors that lower the risk of ovarian cancer?
Tubal ligation, pregnancy, OCPs –> less ovulation lowers risk
Why does tubal ligation lower the risk of ovarian cancer?
Some data suggests ovarian cancer actually begins in the fallopian tubes
What are the common S/S of ovarian cancer?
Usually asymptomatic –> may have pain, bloating, early satiety, weight loss
What symptoms might be present in ovarian cancer that originates as a sex cell cord tumor?
Tumor may be hormone producing –> hirsutism, inc muscle mass, deepening of voice (if T producing)
What physical exam findings are consistent with ovarian cancer?
Abdominal fluid wave, sub-Q nodules, pelvic mass or cul-de-sac nodularity, DVT (Pt’s are hypercoagulable)
What screening tests for ovarian cancer are routinely performed?
Bimanual exam is only screening tool - no evidence of benefit for any specific screening tests
What are the general recommendations for cancer testing when an ovarian cyst is found?
Mass < 10cm in premenopausal woman = no need for testing
Complex, bilateral, or > 5cm in Pt > 40 yoa = ongoing monitoring
Persistent concerning cysts or with accompanying S/S = surgical evaluation
What is the most common type of ovarian cyst?
Follicular cyst
What is the most common site of initial metastases from ovarian cancer?
Liver or diaphragm - cancer can travel through peritoneal fluid
Define the four stages of ovarian cancer.
1: ovaries only (rarely diagnosed)
2: pelvic extension
3: extrapelvic extension
4: intraparenchymal mets, pleural effusion
Describe the preferred chemotherapy used following surgery in treatment of ovarian cancer.
IV carboplatin and paclitaxel on a dose dense schedule. Do not delay more than 4 weeks after surgery.
The majority of germ cell ovarian tumors can be categorized as what?
Benign teratomas (dermoids)
Define teratoma (aka dermoid).
Large, heavy tumor that contains a lot of sebaceous material. May grow skin, hair, etc.
What is the most common complication of a benign ovarian teratoma?
Ovarian torsion
What is the treatment for a benign ovarian teratoma?
Surgical removal because of their size
What is the next step in management when an ovarian tumor is found on US?
Order serum tumor markers –> aid in Dx and monitoring treatment
What is the greatest risk of a sex cord stromal ovarian tumor?
Endometrial cancer s/p production of excess estrogen. Tumors themselves rarely malignant.
What patients are most likely to be diagnosed with vulvar cancer?
Post menopausal women