Malignancies Flashcards
Investigations for oesophageal cancer?
Endoscopy and biopsy
Barium swallow
Clinical features of oesophageal cancer?
Progressively worsening dysphagia
Weight loss
Aetiology of oesophageal cancer?
Smoking
Alcohol
Squamous cell carcinoma - diet, iron deficiency, anaemia, high cereals, achalsia, HPV, vit A deficiencies
Adenocarcinoma - Barrett’s oesophagus, obesity, genetics
What achalsia?
Contraction of lower oesophageal muscles preventing food from entering the stomach
Where can squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma occur in the oesophagus?
Squamous cell - any level
Adenocarcinoma - metaplasia epithelium of Barrett’s oesophagus so lower down
Which is the most common type of oesophageal cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What is the progression of dysplasia in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma?
Squamous dysplasia to squamous cell carcinoma
What happens in Barrett’s oesophagus? Metaplasia or dysplasia?
Metaplasia (this is the abnormal change in nature of tissue)
What is dysplasia?
Enlargement of organ or tissue by proliferation of cells of an abnormal type. An early stage in development of cancer
Prognosis of oesophageal cancer?
Most present with advanced disease
Only 40% resectable
5% 5 year survival
Most die of bronchopneumonia as a result of aspiration due to dysphagia or oesophageal-broncho fistulae
Surgical management options of oesophageal cancer? (Palliative)
Can have a tube passed through the tumour to facilitate swallowing
What is leiomyoma?
Benign smooth muscle tumour
Squamous papilloma
Caused by HPV
Benign and rare
Aetiology of gastric cancer?
Nitrates in diet Smoking H pylori infection Genetics Atrophy of stomach tissue eg after resection
Symptoms of gastric cancer?
Dyspepsia (heartburn) Weight loss Anorexia Bloatedness Nausea and vomiting Anaemia Virchow's node
Investigations of gastric cancer?
Endoscopy and biopsy
Barium swallow
Most common type of gastric cancer?
Derived from what?
Which layers does it affect?
Adenocarcinoma
Derived from mucus-secreting cells
Early cancer confined to mucosa and submucosa
More advanced penetrate muscularis propria and become ulcerating
Macroscopic features of gastric cancer?
Fungating
Ulcerating
Infiltrative - linitis plastica (leather wine bottle)
Microscopic features of gastric cancer?
Intestinal - variable degree of gland formation
Diffuse - single cells and small groups, signet ring cells
What is the course of gastric cancer? (How it develops)
Chronic gastritis - atrophy - metaplasia - pre-malignant dysplasia - malignancy
What in gastric cancer is classed as early?
Even when spread to lymph nodes, still classed as early
How can gastric cancer spread?
Direct
Lymph nodes
Liver via hepatic portal vein
Trans-coelomic to peritoneum and ovaries
When can surgery not be used to treat gastric cancer?
If it is tethered to something like the aorta
If it is very widespread