WOMENS HEALTH - urogynae, gynae Flashcards
is breast cancer the most common cancer type?
yes - it overtook lung
describe the aetiology of breast cancer
mix of genetic and environmental factors - BRCA1 and BRCA2
modifiable and non-modifiable RFs for breast cancer?
modifiable - obesity, alcohol
nonmodifiable - late first childbirth, heritability, early menarche (<12), late menopause (>55)
why are early menarche and late menopause RFs for breast cancer?
both increase the breast tissue’s exposure to oestrogen over a woman’s lifetime > oestrogen promotes the proliferation of breast cells
how is breast cancer screened?
mammogram every 3 YEARS to women aged 50-70
if women are high risk e.g. genetic, can get annual screening from age 30
signs and symptoms of breast cancer (general)
- asymptomatic!
- painless lump (hard, irregular, fixed)
- nipple inversion
- peau d’orange
- nipple discharge
- skin tethering
- Paget’s disease of the breast
signs/symptoms that breast cancer has become metastatic?
fractures, seizures
3 key signs/symptoms of inflammatory breast cancer
- peau d’orange
- inflamed breast
- nipple inversion
how is breast cancer investigated?
triple assessment
outline the triple assessment for breast cancer
- clinical assessment
- imaging assessment (mammography, USS or MRI)
if abnormal, go onto… - biopsy assessment (fine needle aspiration or core biopsy)
scored 1-5 in each (1 normal, 5 malignant)
when is MRI scanning useful for breast cancer in the imaging assessment?
- when patient has breast implants/in young patients with more dense breasts
- when patient has higher risk e.g. strong fhx
- to further assess size/features of tumour
what might a mammogram scan show if the patient has BC?
calcification, irregular mass
which chromosomes are BRCA1 and BRCA2 on, respectively?
brca1 = chromosome 17
brca2 = chromosome 13
what is triple-negative breast cancer?
the breast cancer cells do not express any cancer receptors (e.g. ER, PR, HER2) that treatments can target and act upon
common locations for breast cancer metastasis
REMEMBER 2Ls and 2Bs
L - lungs
L - liver
B - bones
B - brain
what are the 3 types of breast cancer receptors?
- oestrogen receptors (ER)
- progesterone receptors (PR)
- human epidermal growth factor (HER2)
what system is used to stage breast cancer?
TNM - tumour (T), nodes (N), metastasis (M)
what is the nottingham prognostic index?
a tool to predict survival after breast cancer surgery
uses tumour size, lymph node status and tumour grade
which breast cancer type tends to be grade 3?
triple negative
surgical management options for breast cancer and their indications
- breast conservation + radio therapy
indications = small tumour relative to breast size - mastectomy
indications = personal pref, large tumour relative to breast size, more than 1 cancer in same breast - axillary surgery (full or limited)
indications = if spread into axillary system - reconstructive surgery
indications = offered to all pts having mastectomy
common complication of axillary surgery?
lymphoedema
non-surgical management options for breast cancer
- chemo
- hormone treatment - tamoxifen if PREmenopausal and aromatase inhibitors e.g. anastrozole if POSTmenopausal
- targeted tx e.g. trastuzumab, pertuzumab
- chemoprevention (for high risk women) - tamoxifen for pre and anastrozole for postmenopause
when is chemotherapy indicated in breast cancer?
in HIGH RISK disease…
- young age
- high grade
- node +ve
- tumour size
- ER-ve, HER-2+ve
- Ki67 positive
which breast cancer is hormone treatment indicated for?
for patients with oestrogen-receptor (ER) positive breast cancer
which breast cancer is targeted tx indicated for?
HER2+ve
which breast cancer is associated with good prognosis?
DCIS - ductal carcinoma in situ
what chemotherapy type is indicated in node +ve breast cancer?
FEC-D chemotherapy (+surgery and radiotherapy)
common side effects of:
a) anastrazole
b) tamoxifen
a) osteoporosis
b) DVT, endometrial cancer, vaginal bleeding
define atrophic vaginitis
thinning, drying and inflammation of the vaginal walls
what causes atrophic vaginitis?
often lack of oestrogen
when does atrophic vaginitis often occur?
around/after the menopause
how does atrophic vaginitis present?
often a woman during/after her menopause
- dryness
- burning
- discharge
- itching
- burning with urination
- urgency, frequency
- recurrent UTIs
- postcoital bleeding
- dyspareunia
investigations for atrophic vaginitis
- pelvic examination
- vulva, vaginal and cervical exam
management of atrophic vaginitis
- topical vaginal oestrogen e.g. ovestin, gynest (cream) or vagifem (tablet)
if topical oestrogen contraindicated, can use vaginal moisturisers/lubricants
when is topical oestrogen contraindicated?
hx of breast cancer
what are the types of cervical cancer? which is most common?
- 80% are squamous cell carcinoma
- next most common is adenocarcinoma
- v rare other types e.g. small cell
what system is used to stage cervical cancer? what are the stages?
the international federation of gynae & obstetrics (FIGO) system
stage 1 - confined to cervix
stage 2 - invades uterus or upper 2/3 of vagina
stage 3 - invades pelvic wall or lower 1/3 of vagina
stage 4 - invades bladder, rectum or beyond pelvis
which women are most commonly affected by cervical cancer?
younger, peaks in reproductive
years
what causes cervical cancer?
strongly associated with human papillomavirus (HPV)
types 16 and 18 - responsible for 70% of cervical cancer
RFs for cervical cancer (think of 3 categories)
think of the RFs in terms of:
1. increased risk of catching HPV
2. non-engagement with screening
3. others
increased risk of HPV:
- early sexual activity
- increased no. sexual partners
- sexual partners who’ve had more partners
- not using condoms
others:
- smoking
- HIV
- combined contraceptive pill use for >5y
- increased no. of full-term pregnancies
- family hx
- exposure to diethylstilbesterol during foetal development
pathophysiology of cervical cancer
HPV produces proteins (E6 and E7) that inhibit tumour suppressive genes
signs and symptoms of cervical cancer
(may be detected during cervical smears in asymptomatic women)
- abnormal vaginal bleeding: intermenstrual, postcoital, postmenopausal
- vaginal discharge
- pelvic pain
- dyspareunia
investigations for cervical cancer
may be found during routine screening
- cervical smear screen - speculum and swabs
if abnormal (e.g. ulceration, inflammation, bleeding, visible tumour)»_space; urgent cancer referral for… - colposcopy
what is the grading system diagnosed in colposcopy? what are the grades?
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN)
grades the level of dysplasia in the cells of the cervix
1. CIN I - mild dysplasia, affecting 1/3 thickness of the epithelial layer. likely to return to normal
2. CIN II - moderate dysplasia, affecting 2/3 thickness of the epithelial layer. likely to progress to cancer if untreated
3. CIN III - severe dysplasia, v likely to progress to cancer
what is cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) III also known as?
cervical carcinoma in situ
cervical cancer management
a) CIN and early stage 1A
b) stage 1B-2A
c) stage 2B-4A
d) stage 4B
a) LLETZ (large loop excision) or cone biopsy (esp good for women who want to preserve fertility)
b) radical hysterectomy, removal of local lymph nodes with chemo and radio
c) chemo and radio
d) may involve combo of surgery, radio, chemo and palliative
preventative management of cervical cancer
HPV vaccine
- given to boys and girls before they’re sexually active
- helps prevent contraction and spread
- vaccine = gardasil
when is cervical screening offered?
every 3 years aged 25-49
every 5 years aged 50-64
describe the steps in a cervical smear test
- speculum inserted, cells collected
- sample tested for high-risk HPV (if negative, cells not further examined, smear deemed negative)
- if HPV positive, cells examined under microscope for precancerous change (dyskaryosis) - called cytology
summarise the management of the 4 different smear test results
- inadequate sample - repeat in >3m
- HPV negative - continue routine screening
- HPV positive with normal cytology - repeat HPV test after 12m (if happens twice in a row, refer to cytology)
- HPV positive with abnormal cytology - refer for colposcopy
what does colposcopy involve when investigating cervical cancer? what stains are used?
- acetic acid stain: abnormal cells go white
- schiller’s iodine test: healthy cells go brown, abnormal won’t stain
- can get tissue sample with punch biopsy
what is adenomyosis?
abnormal growth of endometrial tissue into the myometrium (uterus lining grows into wall and muscle)
which women typically suffer from adenomyosis?
women at the end of their reproductive years who have had multiple children (multiparous)
signs (uterus on palpation) and symptoms of adenomyosis
- menorrhagia
- dysmenorrhoea (pain before and/or during menstruation)
- dyspareunia
- boggy enlarged uterus on palpation
investigations for adenomyosis
a) initial
b) 1st line
c) diagnostic
- pelvic exam - tender, BOGGY, ENLARGED
- 1st line = transvaginal US
- diagnostic/gold std = biopsy after hysterectomy
how do you tell between somebody presenting with adenomyosis and endometriosis?
both present with painful periods, but adenomyosis also presents with heavy bleeding
management for adenomyosis
1. first line
2. for symptoms
3. definitive
- 1st line = contraception e.g. mirena coil
- symptomatic tx - mefenamic acid, tranexamic acid, GnRH agonists
- definitive tx = hysterectomy
complications of adenomyosis during pregnancy
infertility, miscarriage, preterm baby, PPH
define endometriosis
where is commonly affected?
chronic, inflammatory disease characterised by the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue OUTSIDE of the uterus
commonly in ovaries, broad ligaments and fallopian tubes
what are chocolate cysts?
found in endometriosis - endometriomas (fluid-filled cysts) in the ovaries
what % of women suffer with endometriosis?
10%
although the exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, suggest some theories
- genetics
- endometrial lining flows backwards during menstruation through fallopian tubes > pelvis and peritoneum (retrograde menstruation)
- embryonic cells meant to become endometrial tissue remain outside of uterus during foetal development
signs and symptoms of endometriosis
- cyclical pelvic/abdo pain
- secondary dysmenorrhoea (often starts days before bleeding)
- deep dyspareunia
- subfertility
- cyclical non-gynae sx with periods eg.. dysuria, haematuria, urgency, dyschezia (painful bowel movements)
investigations for endometriosis
- pelvic exam - tender, reduced cervical mobility, palpable cysts, potentially visible endometrial tissue on speculum
- 1st line = TVUSS
- gold std/diagnostic = laparoscopic exploration and biopsy
management pathway for endometriosis
- NSAIDs/paracetemol
if ineffective… - hormonal therapies e.g. COCP, depo-provera injection, implant, mirena coil, GnRH agonists
OR - if fertility needs to be improved, surgery e.g. laparoscopic to excise/ablate tissue
define
a) perimenopause
b) menopause
c) premature menopause
a) time from the first experience of symptoms until bleeding has stopped for a year
b) retrospective diagnosis confirmed when >12m of amenorrhoea in the absence of hormonal contraceptives in women aged 49-52
c) cessation of periods before 40 y/o
what is the mechanism of menopause?
- ovaries depleted of follicles over time (as born with finite pool of primordial follicles)
- so decline of oestrogen production
- lack of oestrogen > lack of negative feedback on pituitary gland > rise of FSH and LH
short-term symptoms of menopause (4 categories)
- vasomotor
- hot flushes
- sweats (night)
- palpitations
- headaches - psych
- irritability
- low mood
- lethargy
- forgetfulness
- libido - urogenital (atrophy due to lack of oestrogen)
- vaginal dryness
- dyspareunia
- frequency, urgency - skin
- dry skin and hair
- brittle nails
long-term consequences of menopause
- osteoporosis
- CVD e.g. myocardial infarction, angina, stroke
how is menopause diagnosed?
mainly clinical diagnosis but can confirm with lab tests
what will laboratory tests show in menopause?
- high FSH
- low oestrogen and progesterone
- low inhibin
- normal testosterone and prolactin
- normal TSH
treatment options and what they are for in menopause
a) acute symptomatic
b) HRT
a)
- SSRIs or clonidine for flushes
- topical oestrogen gel for atrophy
b)
- improves sx within 4w
- protects CVD and osteoporosis
- oestrogen (estradiol) and progesterone (medroxyprogesterone) options
- transdermal where possible
which women are indicated for oestrogen-only HRT tx for menopause? why?
those that don’t have a uterus
progesterone protects against endometrial cancer, so give combined to those with uterus
what HRT therapy should be given if:
a) LMP was <year ago
b) LMP was >year ago
a) sequential combined
b) continuous combined
when should you advise women that they may stop taking contraception if they are:
a) >50
b) <50
a) can stop taking 12m after periods ended
b) can stop taking 24m after periods ended
why is transdermal HRT preferred to oral?
oral carries a VTE risk
what is the underlying pathology of:
a) urge incontinence
b) stress incontinence
a) overactivity of the detrusor muscle of the bladder (aka overactive bladder)
b) weakness of the pelvic floor and sphincter muscles allowing urine to leak at times of increased pressure on the bladder
typical presentation of:
a) urge incontinence
b) stress incontinence
a) suddenly feeling urge to pass urine, rushing to bathroom, getting there too late, v conscious about having access to a toilet
b) urinary leakage when laughing, coughing or surprised
what is overflow incontinence?
chronic urinary retention due to obstruction to the outflow of urine
results in overflow of urine and incontinence without the urge to pass urine
RFs for urinary incontinence (8)
- increased age
- postmenopause
- increased BMI
- prev pregnancies and vaginal deliveries
- pelvic organ prolapse
- pelvic floor surgery
- neuro conditions e.g. MS
- cognitive impairment/dementia
how can you assess urinary incontinence through examination?
- assess pelvic tone
- examine for pelvic organ prolapse/atrophic vaginitis/pelvic masses
- ask patient to cough and watch for leakage from the urethra
- bimanual exam - ask woman to squeeze against examining fingers (assesses strength of pelvic muscle contractions)
investigation options for urinary incontinence (4)
- bladder diary
- urine dipstick (rule out infection, haematuria)
- post-void residual bladder volume (check for incomplete emptying)
- urodynamic testing (for urge incontinence not responding to tx)
management options for stress incontinence (lifestyle, 1st and 2nd line)
- lifestyle - avoid caffeine, diuretics, overfilling bladder, weight loss
- 1st line = pelvic floor exercises for at least 3m
- 2nd line (if exercises not working >3m) - either surgery or duloxetine if surgery less preferred
management options for urge incontinence (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th line)
1st line - bladder retraining (gradually increasing time between voiding) for at least 6w
2nd line - anticholinergics e.g. oxybutynin
3rd line - mirabegron
4th line - invasive procedures e.g. botulinum toxin type A injection
side effects of anticholinergics e.g. oxybutynin used in the management of urge incontinence
anticholinergic effects e.g. dry mouth, dry eyes, urinary retention, constipation and postural hypotension
also cognitive decline, memory probs and worsening of dementia
alternative medical treatment to anticholinergics for urge incontinence
mirabegron
but is contraindicated in uncontrolled hypertension
what is a uterine/uterovaginal prolapse?
loss of anatomical support for the uterus, causing herniation of the uterus into the vaginal canal
what 3 conditions are encompassed by the term pelvic organ prolapse (POP)?
cystocele (bladder), rectocele (rectum) and cystourethrocele (uterus)
risk factors for uterine prolapse (6)
- vaginal delivery
- older age
- high BMI
- prev surgery for prolapse
- gynae surgery e.g. cancer
- heavy lifting
signs and symptoms of uterine prolapse
depends on severity/stage
- sensation of vaginal bulging
- pelvic pressure
- urinary sx e.g. frequency, incontinence, incomplete emptyinh
- defecatory dysfunction
- dyspareunia
LATE STAGE - palpable protruding cervix
how is a uterine prolapse diagnosed?
clinically - diagnosis normally made by vaginal exam during resting and standing
other investigations for a uterine prolapse e.g. to confirm diagnosis/check for complications
- bimanual examination
- speculum
- bladder diary
- MSU dip (higher risk of infection)
- postvoid residual vol scan (prolapse can result in retention)
- questionnaire
management of asymptomatic uterine prolapse
- observation
- pelvic floor exercises
management of symptomatic uterine prolapse
1st line = pessary (shelf, ring, gellhorn)
surgery if indicated
when is surgery indicated for uterine prolapse?
symptomatic e.g. dyspareunia, obstruction, discomfort despite exercises/pessary
severe prolapse e.g. outside vagina, ulcerated
what is the most common endometrial cancer?
adenocarcinoma
what stimulates endometrial cancer cell growth? so when does this cancer commonly present?
oestrogen! it’s an oestrogen-dependent cancer
so commonly presents in post-menopause when woman has been exposed to oestrogen for their whole lives
risk factors for endometrial cancer
all in relation to UNOPPOSED OESTROGEN (oestrogen without progesterone)
- increased age
- obesity (adipose tissue source of oestrogen)
- early menarche
- late menopause
- oestrogen-only HRT
- no/few pregnancies
- PCOS (lack of ovulation - during ovulation corpus luteum produces progesterone)
- tamoxifen
which hereditary condition is a risk factor for endometrial cancer?
hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or lynch syndrome
what key presentation should immediately make you suspicious of endometrial cancer?
any woman with postmenopausal bleeding
besides postmenopausal bleeding, how can endometrial cancer present?
- postcoital bleeding
- intermenstrual bleeding
- menorrhagia
- abnormal discharge
- haematuria
- anaemia
- raised platelets
PAIN NOT COMMON - signifies extensive disease
what is the referral criteria for endometrial cancer for a 2-week wait urgent referral?
postmenopausal bleeding (>12m after last menstrual period)
1st line and other investigations for endometrial cancer
- 1st line = TVUS (for endometrial thickness)
- pipelle biopsy (highly sensitive and less invasive than…)
- hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy
what endometrial thickness is normal on TVUS and indicates low risk for endometrial cancer?
<4mm
stages of endometrial cancer
- confined to uterus
- invades cervix
- invadies ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina or lymph nodes
- invades bladder, rectum or beyond pelvis
surgical management for endometrial cancer (stages 1-2)
total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH and BSO)
surgical management for endometrial cancer (stages 3+)
radical hysterectomy (removes pelvic lymph nodes, surrounding tissues and top of vagina
what option can be offered to manage endometrial cancer in frail old women not suitable for surgery?
progesterone therapy
what are fibroids?
what are the 3 different types?
benign endometrial neoplasms (uterine leiomyomas) aka abnormal growths made of myometrium
- submucosal - beneath endometrium
- intramural - within muscular wall
- subserosal - beneath peritoneum
what are fibroids an important differential for?
secondary dysmenorrhoea
risk factors for fibroids
- obesity
- family hx (genetic component)
- smoking
what makes fibroids grow?
they are oestrogen responsive!
signs and symptoms of fibroids
- often asymptomatic!
- menorrhagia = most frequent presenting symptom
- dysmenorrhoea
- abnormal bleeding e.g. postmenopause
- deep dyspareunia
- bloating/feeling full
- bowel and bladder sx (if large enough to press)
- enlarged uterus
investigations for fibroids (1st line, diagnostic etc)
- 1st line = hysteroscopy
- diagnostic = TVUSS
management for asymptomatic fibroids
no treatment, regular FU
management for symptomatic fibroids that are:
a) <3cm
b) >3cm
a)
1st line = MIRENA COIL
symptom management = NSAIDs, tranexamic acid
other options = COCP, cyclical oral progesterone
surgical = ablation, resection during hysteroscopy
b) same medical options as above but will need referral to gynae
surgical = uterine artery embolisation, myomectomy, hysterectomy
what medication can be used prior to fibroid surgery?
GnRH agonists - mimics menopause and shrinks fibroids
what is a dangerous complication of fibroids in pregnant women? how does it present?
RED DEGENERATION - fibroids increase v quickly in size due to increased oestrogen of pregnancy, outgrow blood supply in 2nd/3rd trimester and die
present with fever, abdominal pain, vomiting
other complications of fibroids (5)
- heavy bleeding w iron deficiency
- reduced fertility
- miscarriage/prem labour/obstructive delivery
- constipation
- UTIs
what is bacterial vaginosis? what bacterial changes is it characterised by?
a dysbiosis of the vagina
overgrowth of anaerobic organisms (e.g. Gardnerella vaginalis) and loss of healthy acid-producing lactobacilli
what is the pH in BV?
loses normal acidity, pH is >4.5
risk factors for BV?
- sex life - active, multiple male partners, female partners, recent change in partner, receptive oral sex, unwashed toys, not using condoms
- excessive cleaning e.g. douching, using cleaning products
- copper coil
- smoking
- poor genital hygiene
- ethnicity (more common in black women)
how does BV present?
- 50% asymptomatic!
- primary sx = fishy-smelling, thin, grey-white discharge
- NOT associated with itching/soreness
Amsel’s criteria for BV (3 of the following 4)
- thin, white homogenous discharge
- clue cells on microscopy
- pH >4.5
- positive whiff test (addition of potassium hydroxide = fish smell)
investigations for BV
rarely need speculum unless high risk of STI/pregnant/pre or post termination
- vaginal pH swab (>4.5)
- either HVS or self-taken low swab with microscopy (clue cells)
management of BV if:
a) asymptomatic
b) symptomatic
c) pregnant
a) tx not required
b) oral metronidazole 5-7 days
c) if asymptomatic, discuss with obstetrician. if symptomatic can have oral metronidazole (but not high dose regimen) or topical tx e.g. metronidazole/clindamycin
what advice needs to be given when prescribing metronidazole?
don’t drink alcohol
what is a hydatidiform mole and what is it caused by?
what is a
a) complete mole
b) partial mole
a type of tumour that grows like a pregnancy inside the uterus, also known as a molar pregnancy. caused by a non-viable fertilised egg implanting in the uterus
a) two sperm cells fertilise an ovum containing no genetic material > no foetal material forms
b) two sperm cells fertilise a normal ovum at the same time > new cell has 3 chromosome sets > some foetal material may develop but cannot survive