Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Flashcards
Cervical cancer is most common in what age group?
<35 years
Describe the aetiology of cervical cancer?
HPV - high risk subtypes 16, 18
What proteins produced by the HPV virus are known to suppress tumour suppressor genes?
E6 and E7 proteins
Cancers in what other area of the body are associated with HPV?
Head and Neck cancer
What factors other that HPV can increase the risk of Cervical cancer?
- Smoking
- Age of onset of intercourse (early exposure to HPV when T Zone is immature)
- OCP (due to lack of barrier methods?)
- Multiple partners
Compare the 5 year survival rates of Stage 1 and Stage 4 cervical cancer?
1 - 95%
4 - 20-30%
What are the options for treating cervical cancer?
- Large Loop Excision of Transition Zone
- Fertility Sparing Trachelectomy
- Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy
What types of radiotherapy are used for cervical cancer?
External Beam
Brachytherapy (internal radiation)
What are the different types of chemotherapy available?
Neoadjuvant - prior to other treatment
Concomittant - alongside radiotherapy
Palliative
What drugs are used for cervical cancer therapy?
(Platinum)
Cisplatin
Carboplatin/paclitaxol
What other organs can be impacted by brachytherapy?
Sigmoid (can cause stricture/obstruction)
Rectum
Bladder (can cause fistula)
What aetiological factors contribute to endometrial cancer?
Obesity
Oestrogens – HRT, Tamoxifen
Genetic - Lynch syndrome
How is endometrial cancer treated?
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
Bilateral Salpingoophrectomy
+ Washings
Adjuvant Radiotherapy
Adjuvant Chemotherapy
What increases a patients risk of ovarian cancer?
- > 50yrs
- nulliparity (or low parity)
- delayed pregnancy
- family history of breast or ovarian cancer (BRCA)
Describe how a patient with ovarian cancer would usually present?
ascites/ bloating
pelvic mass/ bladder dysfunction
pleural effusion/shortness of breath
incidental finding
