Urology Flashcards
What is the most common cancer of the urinary system?
Bladder cancer - transitional cell carcinoma
Describe the classifications of various bladder cancers
- Non muscle invasive bladder cancer
- Muscle invasive bladder cancer
- Locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer
What subtypes of bladder cancer are there?
- Transitional cell carcinoma
- Squamous cell carcinoma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Sarcoma
What are the risk factors for bladder cancer?
- Smoking***
- Increasing age
- Male (M:F = 3:1)
- Aromatic hydrocarbon exposure
- Previous radiation to pelvis
What type of bladder cancer is schistosomiasis infection related to?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What is the most common presentation of bladder cancer?
- Painless haematuria (visible or non visible)
- Recurrent UTIs
- Lower urinary tract symptoms
What is the difference between T1 and T2 in bladder cancer staging?
T1 = invasion through lamina propria into sub epithelial CT T2 = invasion into muscular propria layer
What are common causes of haematuria?
UTI Renal calculi Bladder cancer Prostate cancer Renal cancer
What is the investigation required for all cases of painless haematuria?
Cystoscopy
What procedure is used for biopsy and potential resection in bladder cancer?
TURBT - Transurethral resection of bladder tumour
What imaging is indicated as part of the haematuria workup?
USS
CT scan of pelvis
What is the management for a non muscle invasive bladder cancer?
- Resection via TURBT
- If deemed higher risk - BCG injection as adjuvant
- Radical cystectomy
What is the rate of recurrence of superficial bladder cancers?
70% within 3 years
What is the definitive treatment for muscle invasive bladder cancer?
Radical cystectomy
What is usually used as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for muscle invasive bladder cancer?
Cisplatin combination therapy
How is urinary diversion achieved following a radical cystectomy?
Ileal conduit formation Bladder reconstruction (from small bowel)
What is the management for locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer?
Chemotherapy - typically cisplatin based or carboplatin + gemcitabine based
What are the potential risks of bladder cancer?
Upper urinary tract tumours
Urethral tumours
Describe the pathophysiology of pyelonephritis
Typically bacterial infection of the renal pelvis and parenchyma causing supparative inflammation due to neutrophil infiltration
What is the most common infective organism involved in pyelonephritis?
Escherichia coli
Which organisms commonly are transferred from catheters?
Enterococcus faecalis
Staphylococcus aureus
Pseudomonas
Which commensal organism can cause pyelonephritis?
Staphylococcus saprophyticus
What is the classical traid for presentation of pyelonephritis?
Fever
Unilateral loin pain
Nausea and vomiting
(developing over 1-2 days)
What important differential should always be considered with back pain, tachycardia and/or hypotension?
Ruptured aortic aneurysm
What investigations are indicated for pyelonephritis?
Urinalysis
Urine culture
Routine bloods
Renal USS
Why is a renal USS indicated for cases of pyelonephritis?
To assess for evidence of obstruction - if infected and obstructed this is a urological emergency
What investigation should be done if an obstructive cause is suspected for pyelonephritis?
CT KUB
What are the complications of pyelonephritis?
Severe sepsis
Multi-organ failure
Renal scarring –> CKD
Pyonephrosis (infected obstructed kidney)
What is emphysematous pyelonephritis?
Severe form of acute pyelonephritis often caused by gas-forming bacteria - causes gas to collect within and around the kidney
What interventions may be used for severe cases of pyelonephritis?
Nephrostomy
Percutaneous drainage
Nephrectomy
What broad spectrum antibiotics are usually indicated for pyelonephritis?
Cefalexin
Ciprofolxacin
What are the most common types of calcium renal stones?
Calcium oxalate
Calcium phosphate
Mixed oxalate and phosphate
What is the composition of struvite stones?
Magnesium ammonium phosphate
What do struvite stones most commonly cause?
Staghorn calculi
Which types of stone are radiolucent?
Urate stones
What associated condition is associated with cystine stones?
Hypocystinuria
What predisposes patients to development of urate stone formation?
High purine levels one the blood (from diet or haematological disorders)
Which vessels cross the ureter at the pelvic brim?
Iliac vessels
What are common clinical features of renal stones?
Ureteric colic - sudden onset loin to groin pain
Haematuria (usually non visible)
What are the main DDx for flank pain?
Pyelonephritis Ruptured AAA Biliary pathology Bowel obstruction Lower lobe pneumonia MSK pain
What is the gold standard diagnostic tool for renal stones?
CT KUB (non contrast)
Why may a USS be useful in cases of known stone disease?
Assessing for hydronephrosis