Oncology Flashcards
What are 6 factors protective against colorectal cancer?
- NSAIDs
- aspirin
- folate
- magnesium
- diet high in fruit and vegetables, fibre and dairy products
- HRT
What are 10 risk factors associated with colorectal cancer?
- high fat diet
- red meat consumption
- diet low in fruit and vegetables
- smoking
- alcohol
- lack of physical activity
- family history
- hereditary conditions (FAP, HNPCC/Lynch)
- neoplastic polyps (villous + tubular adenomas)
- IBD
What are the 2 eponymous syndromes causing FAP?
- Gardner’s
- Turcot’s
What are the NICE ‘refer 2ww’ criteria for CRC (3 categories)?
- ≥40y with unexplained weight loss and abdominal pain
- ≥50y with unexplained rectal bleeding
- ≥60y with: IDA, CIBH, +ve FIT
What tumour markers are associated with pancreatic cancer?
CA 19-9 (9 looks like a pancreas)
What tumour markers are associated with breast cancer?
CA 15-3 (3 looks like breasts)
What tumour markers are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma?
AFP (alpha feto protein)
Which cancers are associated with S-100 tumour marker?
melanoma, schwannomas
What 3 cancers is tumour marker bombesin related to?
- small cell lung carcinoma
- gastric cancer
- neuroblastoma
What cancer are raised beta human chorionic gonadotrophin with raised AFP suggestive of?
non-seminomatous testicular cancer
What are 4 malignancies associated with EBV?
- nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- Burkitt’s lymphoma
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- HIV-associated central nervous system lymphomas
(non-malignant: hairy leukoplakia)
Which patient population has the highest risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
South-East Asia - especially Chinese
What are 4 risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
- EBV
- smoke
- chemical piollutants
- ingestion of salted fish
Where is the most common site for nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
lateral wall of naspharynx around ostium of Eustachian tube (fossa of Rosenmuller)
What age is affected by nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
bimodal - teens-20s and >50years
What are 6 possible symptoms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
- bilateral cervical node enlargement
- nasal voice
- epistaxis
- nasal obstruction
- deafness from Eustachian tube involvement
- cranial nerve involvement (from extension into skull base)
What is the radiological modality of choice to diagnose nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
MRI with gadolinium and fat suppression
What is the mainstay of nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment?
external irradiation
What is the commonest primary neoplasm of the mediastinum?
thymoma
What is the thymus?
lymphoid organ behind sternum (in front of great vessels) - responsible for development of T lymphocytes in early life then involutes after puberty
composed predominantly of epithelial cells and lymphocytes
What is the rule of thirds for presentation of thymoma?
- one third: compressive symptoms (SVCO, dysphagia, cough, CP)
- one third: assoc autoimmune diorder e.g. myasthenia, pure red cell aplasia, Good’s syndrome
- one third: asymptomatic, incidental finding
What is Good’s syndrome?
thymoma + combined immunodeficiency + hypogammaglobulinaemia
What is the investigation of choice for thymoma?
CT to estimate size + extent, + biopsies with CT-guided needle
What is the treatment for thymoma?
surgery +- adjunctive chemo or radiotherapy
What are the 3 key metabolic abnormalities in tumour lysis syndrome?
- hyperkalaemia
- hyperphosphataemia
- hypocalcaemia
Which types of cancer are susceptible to tumour lysis syndrome?
Hodgkin’s lymphoma and leukaemia