Histo: Gynaecological pathology Flashcards
List some gynaecological infections that cause discomfort but no serious complications.
- Candida
- Trichomonas vaginalis
- Gardnerella
List some gynaecological infections that cause serious complications.
- Chlamydia (infertility)
- Gonorrhoea (infertility)
- Mycoplasma (spontaneous abortion and chorioamnionitis)
- HPV (cancer)
What is pelvic inflammatory disease?
Ascending infection of the female genital tract that can affect the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries
What are the usual causes of pelvic inflammatory disease?
- Gonococci
- Chlamydia
- Enteric bacteria
List some complications of pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Peritonitis
- Intestinal obstruction due to adhesions
- Bacteraemia (sepsis)
- Infertility
What is salpingitis?
Infection of the fallopian tubes
List some complications of salpingitis.
- Infertility
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Plical fusion
- Adhesions to the ovary
- Tubo-ovarian abscess
- Peritonitis
- Hydrosalpinx
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
When the fertilised ovum implants outside the uterus (e.g. in the Fallopian tube)
What is the mean age of onset of cervical cancer?
45-50 years
List some risk factors for cervical cancer.
- Human papilloma virus (present in 95%)
- Many sexual partners
- Sexually active early
- Smoking
- Immunosuppression
Which HPV strains are considered low risk and what is infection associated with?
Types 6, 11
Associated with warts and low grade cervical dysplasia
Which HPV strains are considered high risk and what is infection associated with?
Types 16, 18, 31, 33
Associated with:
- Low and high grade cervical dysplasia
- Cervical cancer
- Vulval, vaginal, penile, and anal cancer
What epithelium type is the found in the cervix?
Endocervix - columnar epithelium
Ectocervix - stratified squamous epithelium
Sepearted by the transformation zone
What is the outcome of HPV infection in most people?
- Nothing - virus is eliminated by immune system and becomes undetectable within 2 years in 90% of people
- Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is associated with dysplasia and cancerous changes
What are the two types of HPV infection? Describe them.
-
Latent (non-productive)
- HPV DNA continues to reside within basal cells
- Infectious virions are not produced
- Replication of viral DNA is coupled to replication of epithelial cells
- This means that complete viral particles are not produced
- Cellular effects of HPV are not seen
-
Productive
- Viral DNA replication occur independently of host chromosomal DNA synthesis
- Large amount of viral DNA and infectious virions are produced
- Characteristic cytological and histological featuers are seen (halo around the nucleus - koilocyte)
What components of high-risk HPV viruses are responsible for the carcinogenic effects of HPV?
Viral proteins can inactivate tumour suppressor genes
- E6 protein - inactivates p53 gene
- E7 protein - inactivates retinoblastoma (Rb) gene
What is cervical intraepithelial neoplasia?
Epithelial cells have undergone malignant changes but basement membrane is intact (no invasion)
Describe the classification of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
- CIN1 = lower 1/3 of the epithelium
- CIN2 = lower 2/3 of the epithelium
- CIN3 = entire epithelium
In which type of cervical epithelium does CIN occur?
Squamous epithelium is involved more often (CIN) than glandular epithelium (CGIN)
What is the term used to describe CIN occurring in columnar epithelium?
Cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (CGIN)
What differentiates CIN from cervical cancer?
Invasion through the basement membrane defines change from CIN to invasive carcinoma
What are the two types of cervical cancer?
- Squamous cell carcinoma (most common)
- Adenocarcinoma (20%)
Which staging system is used for cervical cancer?
FIGO staging
Outline the screening intervals for cervical cancer screening.
- 25-49 = every 3 years
- 50-64 = every 5 years
- 65+ = if no screening since 50 or if abnormal test results
Describe the process of the cervical cancer screening
Women are first screened for high-risk HPV. If positive, sample then undergoes cytological analysis
How is HPV detected
Hybridisation assay
Signal amplification
Uses long synthetic RNA probes complementary to the DNA sequence of numerous low and high risk HPV strains
What vaccine is protect against HPV?
Gardasil 9
Protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58