Cancers in the alimentary tract Flashcards
What is dysphagia
Difficulty swallowing
Presenting complaints of a carcinoma of the oesophagus
- Difficulty in swallowing solids which has been getting progressively worse
- Some difficulty swallowing thick fluids?
- Weight loss
- Occasional regurgitation after swallowing
Investigations to be ordered if suspecting an oesophageal carcinoma
FBC
Liver ultrasound
Upper GI endoscopy
What are the different tumours of the oesophagus
Squamous carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma
If a mass is unable to be removed from the oesophagus, what would need to be done
Tube insertion so they were able to eat solids again
What is the normal epithelium of the oesophagus?
Squamous
What are most tumours of the oesophagus
Squamous carcinomas
What is spread of a tumour in an oesophagus by
Local extension, nodal spread and vascular spread
Common complaints about carcinoma of the stomach
Indigestion, weight loss, loss of appetite and repeated vomiting
Thin, pale, dry skin, mild jaundice, rapid pulse
tests to do if suspecting a stomach carcinoma
FBC
Urgent gastroscopy
LFTs
What is a carcinoma of the stomach
Adenocarcinoma
What can poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma have
‘Signet ring cell’ pattern
Where is metastasis common if you have a stomach cancer
Liver
What is a carcinoma of the colon nearly always
Adenocarcinoma
What do carcinomas on the right side (caecum) commonly present because of
Bleeding with anaemia
