Path - Anus, Appendix, Gallbladder, Pancreas Flashcards
morphology of cholesterol stones
- found only in the gall
- pale yellow, finely granular, hard, crystalline palisade
morphology of pancreas in acute pancreatitis
1) microvascular leak and edema
2) fat necrosis
3) acute inflammation
4) destruction of pancreatic parenchyma
5) destruction of blood vessels and interstitial hemorrhage
describe the CA19-9 antigen marker and its efficacy in early detection of pancreatic carcinoma
serum levels of CA19-9 are often elevated in pancreatic cancer pts, but are relatively nonspecific and lack sensitivity
significant lab values in acute pancreatitis
- increased plasma amylase after 24 hours and increased lipase after 72-96 hours
- hypocalcemia
- glycosuria
how to diagnose chronic pancreatitis
visualization of calcifications within pancreas on CT or US
- acinar cell loss
what part of the pancreas is most often affected by pancreatic cancer
head (60%)
- then body (15%)
- then tail (5%)
- 20% diffuse involvement
what is sclerosing retroperitonitis
dense fibrosis that may extend to involve the mesentery
- cause unknown, but most likely on spectrum of IgG4 related sclerosing dz
what is the most common primary benign or malignant soft tissue tumor that develops within peritoneum and retroperitoneum
desmoplastic round cell tumor
describe the congenital anomaly annular pancreas
band like ring of normal pancreatic tissue that encircles second portion of the duodenum –> can cause duodenal obstruction
what is the most frequently altered oncogene and what is the most frequently inactivated tumor suppressor gene in pancreatic cancer
altered oncogene: KRAS
inactivated tumor suppressor gene: CDKN2A
what cells line the middle 1/3 of the anal canal and what kind of cancer develops from it
transitional epithelium
cloacogenic carcinoma
pathogenesis of carcinoma of gallbladder
chronic inflammation
- biggest risk factor is gallstones (1-2% stone patients get CA)
- 2/3 cases express oncoprotein ERBB2
- 1/4 cases express chromatin remodeling genes PBRM1 and MLL3
how are KRAS mutations related to pancreatic carcinomas and at what point are they involved in the progression from PanIN to invasive carcinoma
constitutive KRAS signaling augments cell growth and survival via the MAPK and P13K/AKT pathways
- mutations occur early in progression from PanIN to carcinoma in PanIN 1A and 1B stages
how are CDKN2A mutations related to pancreatic carcinomas and at what point are they involved in the progression from PanIN to invasive carcinoma
it encodes p16/INK4a which normally inhibits cell cycle progression, and encodes ARF which normally augments p53
(the mutation blocks both of these things)
- mutations occur in intermediate grade lesions in the PanIN-2 stage
morphology of pigment stones
1) black stones:
- found in sterile bile ducts
- made of bilirubin, salts, and mucin
- friable, spiculated and molded contours
2) brown stones:
- found in infected ducts
- made of bilirubin, salts, mucin, and some cholesterol
- soap-like, greasy, soft, laminated
serous cystic neoplasms are associated with what genetic abnormality
inactivation of VHL tumor suppressor gene
morphology of pancreas in chronic pancreatitis
1) fibrosis
2) atrophy and loss of acini
3) variable dilation of pancreatic ducts
4) gland is hard with calcification
5) sparing of islets of Langerhans
pathogenesis of cholesterol stones
too much cholesterol, accelerated cholesterol crystal nucleation, or mucus secretion –> cholesterol concentration increases above the capacity of bile –> cholesterol stone
morphology of acute cholecystitis
gall is enlarged and tense, may be green-black, bright red, or blotchy
- serosa covered in fibrous exudate
describe cloacogenic carcinomas
basaloid tumors with immature cells from the basal layer of the transitional epithelium of the middle 1/3 anal canal
describe how primary acinar cell injury causes acute pancreatitis
primary acinar cell injury –> release of digestive enzymes, inflammation, and autodigestion of pancreatic tissue
sx of chronic pancreatitis
- normally clinically silent but may have recurrent attacks of pain and/or jaundice triggered by ETOH, overeating, or opiates
- can have constant abd and back pain
what genetic defect is associated with pancreatic carcinoma in Ashkenazi Jewish patients
BRCA2 mutation
pathogenesis and tx of autoimmune pancreatitis
associated with IgG4-secreting plasma cells in pancreas
- responds to steroids
what cells line the upper 1/3 of the anal canal and what kind of cancer develops from it
columnar rectal epithelial cells
glandular crcinoma
describe gallbladder empyema
wall is thickened, edematous, and hyperemic that may become green-black necrotic in severe cases (gangrene cholecystitis)
etiologies of pancreatic duct obstruction
1) gallstones
2) biliary sludge
3) periampullary neoplasms
4) choledochoceles
5) parasites
6) pancreas divisum
clinical features acute cholecystitis
acute attack: progressive pain in RUQ or epigastrium that lasts longer than 6 hours
- mild fever, anorexia, tachycardia, sweating, N/V
medications that trigger acute pancreatitis
1) furosemide
2) azathioprine
3) estrogens