week 3 part 1 Flashcards
What are the sub-types of Epithelial cell tumours (ovarian cancer)
Serous tumours (the most common) Endometrioid carcinomas Clear cell tumours Mucinous tumours Undifferentiated tumours
Serous cystadenoma
Most common benign ovarian tumour, often bilateral
Cyst lined by ciliated cells (similar to Fallopian tube)
Serous cystadenocarcinoma
Malignant - Often bilateral
Psammoma bodies seen (collection of calcium)
Mucinous cystadenoma
Benign - Cyst lined by mucous-secreting epithelium (similar to endocervix)
Mucinous cystadenocarcinoma
Malignant - May be associated with pseudomyxoma peritonei (although mucinous tumour of appendix is the more common cause)
Brenner tumour
Benign ovarian growth - Contain Walthard cell rests (benign cluster of epithelial cells), similar to transitional cell epithelium. Typically have ‘coffee bean’ nuclei.
Dermoid Cysts / Germ Cell Tumours
These are benign ovarian tumours. They are teratomas, meaning they come from the germ cells. They may contain various tissue types, such as skin, teeth, hair and bone. They are particularly associated with ovarian torsion. Germ cell tumours may cause raised alpha-fetoprotein (α-FP) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG).
Teratoma
Mature teratoma (dermoid cyst) - most common: benign Immature teratoma: malignant
Dysgerminoma
Most common malignant germ cell tumour
Histological appearance similar to that of testicular seminoma
Associated with Turner’s syndrome
Typically secrete hCG and LDH
Yolk sac tumour
Malignant
Typically secrete AFP
Schiller-Duval bodies on histology are pathognomonic
Granulosa cell tumour
Malignant
Produces oestrogen leading to precocious puberty if in children or endometrial hyperplasia in adults.
Contains Call-Exner bodies (small eosinophilic fluid-filled spaces between granulosa cells)
Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour
Benign
Produces androgens → masculinizing effects
Associated with Peutz-Jegher syndrome
Fibroma
Benign
Associated with Meigs’ syndrome (ascites, pleural effusion)
Solid tumour consisting of bundles of spindle-shaped fibroblasts
Typically occur around the menopause, classically causing a pulling sensation in the pelvis
Kruckenberg tumour
A Kruckenberg tumour refers to a metastasis in the ovary, usually from a gastrointestinal tract cancer, particularly the stomach. Kruckenberg tumours have characteristic “signet-ring” cells on histology, which look like signet rings on under a microscopy.
Risk factors for ovarian cancer
Age (peaks age 60) BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes Increased number of ovulations Obesity Smoking Recurrent use of clomiphene
Protective factors for ovarian cancer
Having a higher number of lifetime ovulations increases the risk of ovarian cancer. Factors that stop ovulation or reduce the number of lifetime ovulations, reduce the risk:
- Combined contraceptive pill
- Breastfeeding
- Pregnancy
Presenting features of ovarian cancer
Abdominal bloating Early satiety (feeling full after eating) Loss of appetite Pelvic pain Urinary symptoms (frequency / urgency) Weight loss Abdominal or pelvic mass Ascites
Why is there hip or groin pain in some ovarian cancers?
An ovarian mass may press on the obturator nerve and cause referred hip or groin pain.
The two-week referral criteria for ovarian cancer
- Ascites
- Pelvic mass (unless clearly due to fibroids)
- Abdominal mass
Investigations for ovarian cancer
- CA125 blood test (>35 IU/mL is significant)
2. Pelvic ultrasound
The risk of malignancy index (RMI)
Estimates the risk of an ovarian mass being malignant, taking account of three things:
- Menopausal status
- Ultrasound findings
- CA125 level
Women under 40 years with a complex ovarian mass require tumour markers for a possible germ cell tumour: what are those markers?
Alpha-fetoprotein (α-FP)
Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
CA125
CA125 is a tumour marker for epithelial cell ovarian cancer. It is not very specific, and there are many non-malignant causes of a raised CA125
Causes of raised CA125 tumour markers
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Adenomyosis
- Pelvic infection
- Liver disease
- Pregnancy
The International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging system
Staging system for ovarian cancers
Stage 1: Confined to the ovary
Stage 2: Spread past the ovary but inside the pelvis
Stage 3: Spread past the pelvis but inside the abdomen
Stage 4: Spread outside the abdomen (distant metastasis)
Benign ovarian cysts
Benign ovarian cysts are extremely common. They may be divided into physiological cysts, benign germ cell tumours, benign epithelial tumours and benign sex cord stromal tumours. Complex (i.e. multi-loculated) ovarian cysts should be biopsied to exclude malignancy.
Physiological cysts (functional cysts)
- Follicular cysts
2. Corpus luteum cyst