T3 L2: Pathology of the female reproductive tract 2

Question 1

What is dysplasia?

Answer 1

The pre-malignant state of a tumour
These cells look malignant but haven’t invaded the basement membrane

Features:
Increased proliferation
Atypia of nuclei
decreased differentiation

Question 2

Where should mitosis be happening?

Answer 2

At the basement membrane

Question 3

What is the difference between cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) and squamous intra-epithelial lesion (SIL)?

Answer 3

They are both dysplasia. They are just called different things in the UK and the US

Question 4

Give examples of where metaplasia occurs and therefore dysplasia is more common

Answer 4

• Squamous metaplasia of the cervical transformation zone
• Squamous metaplasia of the bronchial epithelium
• Glandular metaplasia of the distal oesophagus

Question 5

What are the normal constituents of the cervical cytology specimen (smear)?

Answer 5

Endocervical cells, squamous cells, and metaplastic cells from each of the 2 cervical zones

Question 6

Which cells are usually affected in cervical cancer?

Answer 6

90% of cervical cancers are those of squamous cells

Question 7

What are the 2 most common high risk HPV viruses?

Answer 7

16 and 18

Question 8

What are the 2 most common low risk HPV viruses?

Answer 8

6 and 11