HISTO: Upper GI pathology Flashcards
What is the junction between the squamous and columnar epithelium in upper GI called?
Squamous and columnar junction = Z line
Which parts of the stomach have the most specialised glands? Where does H pylori usually affect?
Body and fundus contain the most specialised glands (create acid + enzymes)
Antrum (+pyloric canal) are often where you find H. pylori associated gastritis
What cells are not usually seen in the stomach?
Goblet cells - their presence in the stomach is a feature of intestinal metaplasia
Which part of the upper GI tract is this? What are the labels?
Stomach body
Columnar epithelium, specialised glands in lamina propria, ,uscularis mucosa
Which part of the upper GI tract is this? What are the labels?
What is the sequence of histological layers of the oesophagus?
Mucosa (epithelium –> lamina propria –> muscularis mucosa) –>
submucosa –>
muscularis propria
How do cells in villi shed?
The cells proliferate in the crypt and then migrate upwards to the tip of the villous and shed at the top
When the villi get damaged, the crypts will proliferate to replace the damage villi
What type of cells make up the duodenum?
Length = ~2: 1 “villous: crypt ratio”
What is shown? What cells are present in the squamous epithelium?
Acute oesophagitis
Usually due to reflux or toxic substances
Neutrophils shown in squamous epithelium
What are the most common causes of acute oesophagitis?
GORD
What is the difference between erosion vs ulcer?
Ulcer = past muscularis mucosa (into submucosa)
Erosion = before muscularis mucosa (not into submucosa)
What are the complications of reflux oesophagitis?
- Perforation
- Ulceration
- Haemorrhage
- Stricture
- Barrett’s oesophagus
What are the histological signs of ulceration?
- Necrotic slough
- Inflammatory exudate
- Granulation tissue
What is Barrett’s oesophagus? What are the two types?
Columnal lined oesophagus (CLO) is AKA Barrett’s
Replacement of squamous by metaplastic columnar epithelium
2 types
- Without goblet cells: gastric metaplasia
- With goblet cells: intestinal type metaplasia
Which type has the higher risk of cancer in CLO?
Goblet cells present - CLO with intestinal metaplasia
What is the sequence that leads to formation of cancer in e.g. CLO?
- (1) Metaplasia = not pre-malignant because reversible
-
(2) Dysplasia = changes showing some of the cytological + histological features of malignancy but with no invasion through the BM
- Low grade
- High grade
- (3) Adenocarcinoma = abnormal cells invade through the BM
What is the difference between phenotype of progression to cancer between the lower and upper GI tract?
- Polyp pathway (lower GI pathway)
- Flat pathway (upper GI pathway; metaplasia (i.e. CLO ± IM) –> dysplasia –> cancer)
Where is adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus usually found?
- Lower oesophagus
- Developing countries most common
- Due to reflux
Below: gland formation + mucus secretion = most common
What are 2 associations/RFs for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus?
GORD, Barrett’s oesophagus
What is seen histologically in adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus?
Glandular epithelium
Mucin
Where is SCC of oesophagus most common?
In developing countries
Alcohol smoking
Upper/mid oesophagus
Below: intercellular bridges + keratin production
What are 2 associations/RFs for SCC of the oesophagus?
Smoking and alcohol
What is seen histologically in SCC of the oesophagus?
Invasion of submucosa
Cells forming keratin (defining feature)
Cells that have intercellular bridges