Urology Flashcards
What is the definition of haematuria ?
The presence of blood in the urine either visible or non-visible.
What is the classification of haematuria ?
Visible - blood is visible in urine colouring it pink, red or dark brown
Non-visible - blood is present in the urine on urinalysis but not visible. This can be separated further for symptomatic and non-symptomatic.
What are some causes of haematuria ?
UTI
Renal cancer
Bladder cancer
Renal calculi
Prostate cancer
BPH
Glomerulonephritis
Goodpasture’s disease
What key questions should be asked to assess haematuria ?
Quantity ( pink vs dark red )
Presence of clots
Any fever, suprapubic pain, flank pain, weight loss or recent trauma
Drug history and smoking status
Recent foreign travel
What simple investigations should be performed for haematuria ?
Urinalysis - the presence of leucocytes and nitrates may suggest UTI
Baseline bloods - FBC, U&E’s and clotting, PSA in men,
Referral to a urologist may be needed
What is the criteria for a urological referral for haematuria ?
Aged over 45 with either :
- unexplained visible haematuria with no UTI
- visible haematuria that persists or recurs after successful treatment of a UTI
Aged over 60 with unexplained non-visible haematuria and either dysuria or a raised WCC
What are some specialist investigations that are performed for haematuria ?
Flexible cytoscopy is gold standard
USS of renal tract
CT urogram
What is the pathophysiology of RCC ?
It is an adenocarcinoma of the renal cortex arising from the proximal convoluted tubule most often appearing in the upper pole of the kidney.
It spreads through direct invasion ( perinephric tissues, adrenal gland or renal vein )and lymphatic system ( nodes ) or haematogenous ( bones, liver, brain and lungs ).
What are some risk factors for RCC ?
Smoking
Industrial exposure to carcinogens ( cadmium, lead )
Dialysis
HTN
Diabetes
PCKS
What are some clinical features of RCC ?
Haematuria ( visible or non-visible )
Flank pain
Flank mass
Lethargy
Weight loss
What is the classic triad of RCC ?
Haematuria
A mass
Flank pain
What may be seen on examination in someone with RCC ?
Mass palpated in the flank or hypochondrial region
Left sided masses may also be present with a left varicocoele due to compression of the left testicular vein as it joins the renal vein.
What are some investigations for RCC ?
Routine bloods - FBC, U&E’S, LFTs, CRP
Urinalysis
Urine cytology
USS renal tract, kidneys
CT imaging - abdomen pelvis ( pre and post contrast ) is gold standard
Biopsy
What is the management for a localised RCC ?
Smaller tumours - partial nephrectomy
Larger tumours - radical nephrectomy ( removal of the kidney, perinephric fat and local lymph nodes )
Not suitable for surgery - percutaneous radio frequency nephrectomy
What is the management of metastatic RCC ?
Nephrectomy combined with immunotherapy
Biological agents can be used in combination
Metastasectomy is recommended if resectable
( Chemotherapy is ineffective )
What are some uncommon presentations caused by paraneoplastic syndrome of the RCC ?
Polycythaemia duct to erythropoietin
Hypercalcaemia due to increase in PTH
HTN due to increase in renin
Pyrexia
What does a transurethral resection of bladder tumour consist of ?
Resection of bladder tissue by diathermy during rigid cytoscopy.
Usually performed under general or regional anaesthesia.
The biopsy samples can aid is assessing the stage of disease.
What are the subtypes of bladder cancer ?
Transitional cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma ( rare )
Sarcoma ( rare )
What are the 4 layers of the bladder wall ?
Inner lining - transitional epithelium or urothelium
Connective tissue layer - lamina propria
Muscular layer - muscularis propria
Fatty connective tissue
What are some risk factors for bladder cancer ?
Smoking
Age
Exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons ( industrial dyes or rubbers )
Schistomiasis infection
Previous radiation to the pelvis
What are some clinical features of bladder cancer ?
Painless haematuria ( visible or non-visible )
Recurrent UTI’s
Lower urinary tract symptoms ( frequency, urgency or feeling of incomplete voiding ).
Pelvic pain
Weight loss
Lethargy
In TNM what is the T staging ?
Tis - in situ ( contained within the basement membrane )
T1 - through lamina propria into sub-epithelial connective tissue
T2 - into muscularis propria layer
T3 - invasion into the perivesical tissues
T4 - direct invasion into adjacent local structures
In TNM what is the N staging ?
N0 - no nodal involvement
N1 - single node involvement less than 2cm
N2 - single node involvement 2-5cm or multiple nodes less than 5cm
N3 - one or more nodes greater than 5cm
In TNM what is the M staging ?
M0 - no metastases
M1 - metastases present
What are the investigations for bladder cancer ?
Urgent cystoscopy - flexible cytoscopy under local ( rigid cytoscopy may be performed for more definitive assessment ).
Biopsy and TURBT
CT staging
Urine cytology
What is the management for bladder cancer in situ or T1 ?
Respected via TURBT
High risk disease may require adjuvant intravesical therapy
Radical cystectomy can also be offered for high risk
What is the management for muscle invasive bladder cancer ?
Radical cystectomy if fit - complete removal of the bladder
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
What are some urinary diversions that can be used following a radical cystectomy ?
Ileal conduit formation
Bladder reconstruction
What is the management for locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer ?
Chemotherapy
Palliative care should be discussed
What are the causes of LUTS ?
BPH
UTI
Bladder cancer
Prostate cancer
Chronic prostatitis
How can you classify LUTS ?
Voiding and storage symptoms.
What are some voiding LUTS ?
Hesitancy or straining in micturition
Poor flow
Terminal dribble
Feeling of incomplete emptying
What are some storage LUTS ?
Increased urinary frequency
Nocturia
Increased sense of urgency to urinate
Urge incontinence
What are some simple investigations for someone presenting with LUTS ?
Urinalysis
Bladder diary
Flow rate and post void scanning
Routine bloods ( U&E’s, FBC )
PSA test
What are some specialist investigations which can be performed in a patient with LUTS ?
Urodynamic studies
Cystoscopy
USS urinary tract
What is the conservative management for someone presenting with LUTS ?
Treat underlying pathology
Regulate fluid intake
Double voiding
In men urethral milking
Pelvic floor exercises
Bladder training
What are some pharmacological management options for people presenting with LUTS ?
Alpha blockers - tamsulosin ( BPH )
5 alpha reductase inhibitors - finasteride ( BPH )
Anti-cholinergics - oxybutynin ( OAB )
Mirabegron ( beta 3 agonist ) - OAB
What are some complications of people presenting with LUTS ?
Retention - infection and formation of calculi
Overflow incontinence
Bilateral hydronephrosis
What is the pathophysiology of prostate cancer ?
Influenced by androgens
Majority are adenocarcinoma as
Arise from the peripheral zone
What are some risk factors of prostate cancer ?
Non- modifiable :
. Age
. Ethnicity
. Family history
BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene are at greater risk
Modifiable :
. Obesity
. DM
. Smoking
. Exercise
What are some early symptoms of a localised prostate cancer ?
Weak stream
Increased urinary frequency
Urgency
What are some later symptoms of advanced localised prostate cancer ?
Haematuria
Dysuria
Incontinence
Suprapubic pain
Loin pain
What are some symptoms indicating a prostate cancer has metastasised ?
Bone pain
Lethargy
Anorexia
Fixed irregular mass
what should a DRE be checking for ?
Evidence of asymmetry
Nodularity
Fixed irregular mass
What investigations should be performed for someone with prostate cancer ?
PSA
MRI scan
Biopsy
Other than prostate cancer what conditions can cause PSA to be raised ?
BPH
Prostatitis
UTI
Recent urological surgery
What grading system is used for prostate cancer ?
Gleason grading system
What is the management of low risk prostate cancer ?
Active surveillance - 3 monthly PSA tests, 6 monthly to yearly DRE’s, re-biopsy at 1-3 yearly intervals
Radical treatments for evidence of disease progression
What is the management for high risk prostate cancer ?
Radical prostatectomy - removal of the prostate gland and resection of the seminal vesicles along with the surrounding tissue
Performed laparoscopically
What are some side effects of radical prostatectomy ?
Erectile dysfunction
Stress incontinence
Bladder neck stenosis
What is the management of metastatic prostate cancer ?
Chemotherapy and anti-androgen therapy
What is the Gleason grading score ?
A scoring system by which prostate cancers are graded based upon their histological appearance.
What does each stage of the Gleason grading system indicate ?
1 - small uniform glands
2 - more stroma between glands
3 - distinctively infiltrative margins
4 - irregular masses of neoplastic glands
5 - only occasional gland formation
What is a transrectal ultrasound guided ( TRUS ) biopsy ?
Taking a sample of the prostate transrectally using USS as guidance
What are the possible risks of a TRUS biopsy ?
Haematuria
Infection
Pain
Repetition of biopsy due to insufficient amount
What do the majority of upper tract TCC present with ?
Visible haematuria
What investigations are used for upper tract TCC ?
CT urogram
Ureteroscopy
What is the management of low grade upper tract TCC ?
Laser ablation
What is the management of the majority of non-metastatic upper TCC ?
Laparoscopic nephro-ureterectomy
What are some issues with urinary continent diversions ?
Hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis
Incontinence
Stones
Mucus
Perforation
What are some problems with screening prostate cancer ?
Significant over diagnosis and over treatment
Approx 12 treated to prevent 1 death
what are some pros of prostate screening ?
Reduced mortality
What are some germ cell tumours ?
Non-seminomatous germ cell tumours
Seminomas
How can testicular cancers present ?
A lump - solid
What are some testis tumour markers ?
Alpha-fetoprotein - specific to non-seminomatous germ cell tumours
Beta-HCG
LDH
What is the treatment of testicular cancer ?
Inguinal orchidectomy
Chemotherapy - metastatic
Radiotherapy can be used for seminomas
What are some risk factors for testicular cancer ?
Cryptorchidism - undescended testes
Previous testicular malignancy
Family history
Caucasian ethnicity
Kleinfelter’s syndrome
What are some clinical features of testiclaur cancer ?
Unilateral painless testicular lump
Irregular firm and fixed
Weight loss
Back pain
What are the differentials for a scrotal lump ?
Epididymal cyst
Haematoma
Epididymitis
Hydrocoele
Testicular cancer
What are some investigations for testicular cancer ?
Bloods - tumour markers
Scrotal USS
CT imaging with contrast - staging
What are some complications of testicular cancer ?
Those undertaking chemotherapy and radiotherapy have an increased risk of secondary malignancies
What does penile cancer have a strong association to ?
HPV
What is the most common type of penile cancer ?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What are some risk factors for penile cancer ?
HPV infection
Phimosis
Smoking
Untreated HIV
What are some clinical features of penile cancer ?
Palpable or ulcerating lesion on the penis - located on the glans
Lesions are often painless - may be discharge or prone to bleeding