Upper GI Tract Pathology Flashcards
What is the definition of Upper GI tract disease?
Disorder of Upper GI tract which causes abdominal/retrosternal discomfort/pain/indigestion
What is the pathology of oesophageal reflux?
Reflux of gastric acid in the oesophagus
What is a common cause for OR?
Hiatal hernia
What changes occur to the histology of the oesophagus?
Thickening of the squamous epithelium
What complication may occur in severe cases of OR?
Ulceration of the oesophagus
What complications may occur from healing by fibrosis of OR?
- Stricture formation (tightening/narrowing)
- Impaired oesophageal motility
- Oesophageal obstruction
What complication occurs as a response to OR in only a few patients?
Barrett’s Oesophagus
What is Barrett’s Oesophagus?
A type of metaphasia (reversible transformation of one cell type ie. squamous to glandular) - recognised pre-malignant condition
Describe the prevalence of oesophageal cancer
Third most common cancer of alimentary canal
Marked geographic variation in incidence (rising)
What two histological types of oesophageal cancer are there?
Squamous carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (develops from Barrett’s Oesophagus)
What are the local effects of oesophageal cancer?
Obstruction
Ulceration
Perforation
What types of spread are possible with oesophageal cancer?
- Direct (to surrounding structures)
- Lymphatic (to regional lymph nodes)
- Blood spread (to liver)
What is the ute prognosis of oesophageal cancer?
Very poor
5-year survival rate <15%
What are the types of gastritis?
Type A - autoimmune
Type B - bacterial
Type C - chemical injury
In Type A Gastritis, what structures do autoantibodies attack?
Parietal cells and intrinsic factor
What is the pathology of Type A Gastritis?
Atrophy and loss of specialised gastric epithelium leading to decreased acid secretion and vitamin B12 deficiency
What is the most common type of gastritis?
Bacterial
What is the bacteria responsible for Type B gastritis?
Helicobacter Pylori
Describe Helicobacter pylori
Gram negative bacteria found in gastric mucus on surface of gastric epithelium
What is the pathology of Type B gastritis?
Acute and chronic inflammation - increased acid production
What chemical agents can cause Type C gastritis?
NSAIDs, alcohol and bile reflux
How does a peptic ulcer form?
Imbalance between gastric acid secretion and mucosal barrier
What organs does it effect?
Oesophagus (lower), stomach (body and antrum) and duodenum (first and second parts)
What causative agent is peptic ulceration usually associated with?
H. Pylori
