Oncology Flashcards
How can we define a neutropenic sepsis?
Neutrophils <0.5 x 10^9, temperature >38.
Mx for neutropenic sepsis?
Once suspected commence on piperacillin and tazobactam.
What causes tumour lysis syndrome?
rapid cell breakdown (tumour cells) which release their intracellular contents which causes the symptoms.
What are the electrolyte disturbances of tumour lysis syndrome? How does it affect the kidneys?
Elevated uric acid, potassium, and phosphate.
Low calcium.
AKI.
How do you manage tumour lysis syndrome?
Give fluids, correct electrolytes, give ruburicase (changes uric acid into allantoin which is more easily excreted by kidneys), can also give allopurinol to help correct hypercalcaemia.
What is Trousseau’s Syndrome?
Migratory thrombophlebitis, associated with malignancy.
What is the underlying pathophysiology of multiple myeloma?
Plasma cell dyscrasia leasing to abnormal plasma cells which secrete monoclonal antibodies into the serum and urine. You also get a relative loss of functional antibodies (hypogammaglobulinemia).
What symptoms does Multiple Myeloma present with?
CRAB: hyperCalcaemia (excessive thirst, loss of appetite, constipation, N+V, abdo pain), Renal disease, Anaemia, Bone disease (lytic lesions).
How do you investigate for multiple myeloma?
1) serum protein electrophoresis: identify serum IgG paraprotein and bence jones proteins
2) Immunofixation: identify type of paraprotein
Can also do a bone marrow biopsy which would confirm MM with >10% being plasma cells.
What might you see on blood film for multiple myeloma?
Roleuax (stacks of RBCs that form due to the discoid shape and abnormal amounts of proteins).
How is multiple myeloma managed?
Stem cell transplant in approperiate pts.
If not appropriate, then MPT (melphalan, prednisolone, thalidomide) therapy.
What are the different types of thyroid cancers from most common to least common?
Papillary, follicular adenoma, medullary, anaplastic.
What is seen on aspiration of papillary thyroid cancer?
Orphan annie cells.
What are the management strategies for thyroid cancers?
Surgery, iodine therapy, neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, targeted therapy (for advanced tumours).
What is the tumour marker for hepatocellular carcinoma? What do you refer for if it is raised?
AFP - refer for abdo USS, after this next step would be biopsy.
What are the RFs for hepatocellular carcinoma?
Chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, non-alcohlic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, PBC, inherited metabolic disorders, obesity, T2DM.
What are the signs/sx of hepatocellular carcinoma?
Abdo pain, jaundice, ascites, weight loss, hepatomegaly, encephalopathy.
What is the management for hepatocellular carcinoma?
Resection, transplantation, radiofrequency ablation.
What signs and sx might someone with gastric cancer present with?
ALARMS:
- Anaemia
- Lymphadenopathy (Virchow’s and sister Mary Joseph nodes)/ Loss of weight
- Anorexia
- Recent onset sx
- Malena/haematemesis
- Swallowing difficulty (dysphagia)
+ dyspepsia
What is the most common type of gastric cancer?
Adenocarcinoma.
What is the first line investigation for suspected gastric cancer? What is the management?
OGD.
Partial/total gastrectomy with adjuvant chemo.
Where are carcinoid tumours most commonly found? What do they secrete and what sx this cause?
Appendix, ileum, rectum.
Secrete excess serotonin causing sx of:
- flushing
- diarrhoea
- bronchospasm
- GI symptoms (abdo pain, diarrhoea).
Why can carcinoid tumours lead to decompensated heart failure?
Serotonin excess can cause pulmonary fibrosis and tricuspid regurg.
Which vitamin deficiency are carcinoid tumours associated with?
B3 - pallagra
How can you diagnose a carcinoid tumour?
5-IAA measurement - it is a breakdown product of 5HT so will be raised.
CT/MRI or ocreotide scans.
Biopsy.
How can carcinoid syndrome symptoms be managed?
Medical (somatostatin analogues: ocreotide) and surgical (resection, embolisation, etc).
What is the common presentation of cholangiocarcinoma?
Jaundice, painless RUQ mass (Courvoisier’s sign), weight loss, anorexia.
Hx of IBD/PSC, smoking/obesity, chronic GB issues.
What are the signs/sx of colorectal cancer?
Rectal bleeding, weight loss, change in bowel habit, abdo pain, iron deficiency anaemia, and may present with a bowel obstruction.
What are the RFs for colorectal cancer?
IBD, hereditary syndromes (lynch), obesity, age, alcohol excess, smoking, increased intake of processed red meat, and radiation exposure.
How would you investigate someone for colorectal cancer?
FIT test.
If this comes back >10micrograms then refer for colonoscopy on 2WW pathway.
What tumour marker can be used for monitoring of colorectal cancer?
CEA - monitoring only, not used for diagnosis.
What is the mutation in Lynch syndrome? What cancers is it associated with? what is the risk of non-polyposis colorectal cancer?
MLH1 autosomal dominant gene mutation.
Gastric, colorectal, endometrial, breast, and prostate.
NPCC - 80% by 33y/o.
What are the characteristics of osteosarcoma? What age group has a peak in incidence?
Prolonged onset of pain and swelling, XR shows new bony growth, periosteal reaction causing ‘sunburnt’ appearance.
2nd decade of life peaks due to rapid bone growth in puberty.
What are the characteristics of chondrosarcoma?
progressive pain worse at night, typically in the pelvis, proximal femur, or humerus. More commonly seen in 50-70 y/o age group.
XR shows osteolytic lesion with ‘moth-eaten appearance’.
What symptoms might you see in someone presenting with CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukaemia)? Where is the pathology?
Non-tender lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, B sx, and possibly features of bone marrow failure.
Pathophysiology: mature B cell neoplasm causing accumulation of monoclonal B lymphocytes.