Pathology of the colon Flashcards

1
Q

What is a polyp?

A

A protrusion above an epithelial surface

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the 3 main appearances of polyp?

A

Pedunculated
Sessile
Flat

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is meant by a pedunculated polyp?

A

This means that the head of the polyp is attached via a “cord” to the epithelium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is meant by a sessile polyp?

A

The poly is carpet like and so forms small protruding fibres

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the 2 main origins of polyps?

A

Epithelial
Mesenchymal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are some forms of benign polyp?

A

Adenoma
Inflammatory polyps
Juvenile polyps
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are adenomas?

A

These are benign, non-invasive tumours of the colon which can progress into adenocarcinoma if left untreated

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the 3 histological classes of adenoma?

A

Tubular
Villous
Tubulovillous

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is meant by a villous adenoma?

A

A polyp that branches out into finger-like projections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is meant by a tubular adenoma?

A

A polyp that has crypt like inward protrusions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What must be done with all adenomas?

A

Removal, either surgically or endoscopically

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Where are most colonic adenocarcinomas found?

A

Left side (Rectum, sigmoid and descending colon)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How will left sided colonic adenocarcinoma usually present?

A

Blood PR
Altered bowel habit
Obstruction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How will right sided colonic adenocarcinoma usually present?

A

Anaemia
Weight loss

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the primary treatment of colonic adenocarcinoma?

A

Surgery, involving removal of the affected region of the colon, before sending it off to pathology for staging

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where are some possible places of invasion in colonic adenocarcinoma?

A

Mesorectum
Peritoneum
Mesentery
Liver
Bladder

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are some genetic conditions that can predispose to colonic adenocarcinoma?

A

HNPCC - Lynch syndrome
FAP - Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

18
Q

How will adenocarcinoma as a result of Lynch syndrome usually present?

A

Right sided tumours
<100 mucinoid polyps
Crohn’s like inflammatory response

19
Q

How will colonic adenocarcinoma as a result of familial adenomatous polyposis usually present?

A

Polyps throughout the colon
>100 polyps of no particular type
No inflammatory response
Association with desmoid and thyroid tumours

20
Q

What is diverticular disease?

A

This is a condition resulting in herniation of the intestinal mucosa through the muscular wall, causing many small outpouchings

21
Q

How do diverticulae form?

A

A low fibre diet will decrease water in the colon, causing increased intraluminal pressure, required to pass stools
This increased intraluminal pressure causes herniation of the mucosa

22
Q

How will diverticular disease present?

A

No symptoms - 75% of cases
Left iliac fossa pain
Altered bowel habit

23
Q

Where is the most common sight for diverticular disease?

A

Sigmoid colon as it has the highest pressure

24
Q

What are some investigations that can be performed in diverticular disease?

A

Barium enema
Sigmoidoscopy

25
Q

What are some possible complications of diverticular disease?

A

Inflammation
Rupture
Abscesses
Fistulas
Massive bleeding

26
Q

What are some treatment options in diverticular disease?

A

High fibre diet
High fluid intake
Laxatives (Avoid stimulant)
Analgesics
Surgical resection

27
Q

What is ischaemic colitis?

A

This is inflammation of the large intestine caused by ischaemia

28
Q

What is the most commonly affected area of the large intestine in ischaemic colitis?

A

Left side in the elderly

29
Q

What are some conditions that can cause ischaemia colitis?

A

Cardiovascular disease
Atrial fibrillation
Embolism
Atherosclerosis of mesenteric arteries
Shock
Vasculitis

30
Q

How will ischaemic colitis show on endoscopy?

A

Affected area will appear highly erythematous and segmented

31
Q

How will ischaemic colitis appear histologically?

A

Withering of crypts and smudging of the lamina propria with few chronic inflammatory cells

32
Q

What are some possible complications of ischaemic colitis?

A

Massive bleeding
Rupture
Stricture due to fibrosis

33
Q

What is antibiotic-induced colitis?

A

This is a condition that occurs due to destruction of the normal gut microbiota, allowing growth of a more resistant bacteria

34
Q

What is the most common causative bacteria in anti-biotic induced colitis?

A

Clostridioides difficile

35
Q

How will antibiotic-induced colitis present on colonoscopy?

A

White pseudomembrane of exudate on the intestinal wall

36
Q

What 2 conditions fall under the class of microscopic colitis?

A

Collagenous colitis
Lymphocytic colitis

37
Q

What is meant by a microscopic colitis?

A

Colitis that causes changes only visible histologically

38
Q

What is meant by collagenous colitis?

A

This is inflammation of the small intestine, caused by a thickened collagen band, comprised from the basement membrane

39
Q

How will collagenous colitis present?

A

History of water diarrhoea
No chronic architectural changes
Normal endoscopy and drug history
Patchy disease associated with intraepithelial inflammatory cells on histology

40
Q

What is lymphocytic colitis?

A

This is inflammation of the intestinal wall due to the influx of intraepithelial lymphocytes, associated with coeliac’s disease

41
Q

What is peutz-jegher’s syndrome?

A

This is a rare genetic disorder resulting in the formation of hamartomatous GI polyps

42
Q

How does Peutz-Jegher’s syndrome present?

A

Brownish or bluish-gray spots on the lips, gums, inner lining of the mouth, and skin
Clubbed fingers or toes
Cramping pain in the belly area
Dark freckles on and around the lips of a child
Hamartomatous GI polyps