S11) Urological Cancers Flashcards
How does one assess haematuria?
- Visible changes
- Non visible changes: microscopy & urine dipstick
What is the differential diagnosis of haematuria?
- Urological
I. Cancer
II. Other – stones, infection, inflammation, BPH
- Nephrological (glomerular)
Describe the key components of the history of a patient presenting with haematuria
- Smoking
- Occupation
- Painful/painless
- Other LUTS
- Family history
How would one examine a patient presenting with haematuria?
- BP
- Abdominal mass
- Varicocele
- Leg swelling
- Assess prostate by DRE (males)
What investigations would one request for in a patient presenting with haematuria?
- Radiology: ultrasound, CT
- Endoscopy: flexible cystoscopy, up bladder and ureter and to kidney
- Urine: culture & sensitivity, cytology
- Bloods: FBC, U&E
What is Renal Cell Carcinoma?
RCC is a malignant tumour arising from the renal cells in the parenchyma of the kidney
How does RCC present?
- Haematuria - first sign
- it can be asymptomatic so symptoms may only appear once it has metastasised
- Incidental finding (on imaging)
- A palpable mass (rare)
How does RCC present if advanced?
- Large varicocele: compression of gonadal vein so it can’t drain (only to do with left)
- Pulmonary/tumour embolus
- Loss of weight/appetite (metastasis)
- Hypercalcaemia: small number can secrete PTH-rP
What are the risk factors for RCC?
- Smoking (2x↑)
- Obesity
- Dialysis
- male: female 3:1
Identify the three ways in which RCC can spread
worst case is it spreads up the renal vein to the IVC and up to the right atria
How can localised RCC be treated?
- Surveillance
- Excision: radical nephrectomy / partial nephrectomy
- Ablation: cryoablation / radiofrequency ablation
What does a radical nephrectomy involved?
Radical nephrectomy – removal of kidney, adrenal, surrounding fat, upper ureter
How can metastatic RCC be treated?
- Cannot be cured
- Palliative treatment – biological therapies (targeted)
- try and prevent angiogenesis surrounding the tumour to slow growth
What is clear renal cell carcinoma?
- CCRCC is a renal cortical tumour typically characterised by malignant epithelial cells
- The proximal convoluted tubule gives rise to this tumour
What is a Bladder Transitional Cell Carcinoma?
- TCC of the bladder is a malignant tumour arising from the transitional epithelial cells lining the bladder
- It is the most common primary neoplasm of the urinary bladder and the entire urinary system
How does TCC present?
- Haematuria
- Incidental finding (imaging, CT, US)
How does TCC present, if advanced?
- Loss of weight/appetite (metastasis)
- DVT
- Lymphoedema
- can be pale if they’re losing blood → anaemic
What are the risk factors for bladder TCC?
- Smoking (4x↑)
- Occupational exposure: rubber, plastics, handling of carbon, crude oil, combustion e.g. painters, mechanics, printers, hairdressers
- -* more likely in males
Describe five features seen in the urine cytology of a patient with bladder cancer
- Clusters of neoplastic cells
- High nuclear:cytoplasmic ratio
- Nuclear hyperchromasia
- Pleomorphism
- Coarse nuclear chromatin
What is the initial management of bladder TCC?
Transurethral removal of bladder tumour
Outline the treatment plan of muscle invasive bladder TCC
What is a squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder?
A squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder is a rare malignant neoplasm derived from bladder urothelium with pure squamous phenotype