Cervical Cytology Flashcards
(29 cards)
How does cervical cancer impact low- and middle-income countries?
Very high mortality rate, accounting for 85% of all cervical cancer deaths
Poor screening practices lead to worse outcomes
What is the number one risk factor for cervical cancer?
Early onset of sexual activity
Does risk of cervical cancer decrease with age?
Yes
What are some risk factors for cervical cancer?
Early onset of sexual activity
Multiple partners
Long-term OCP use
Low socioeconomic status
Nutritional deficiencies
Immunosuppression
Tabacco use
Lack of HPV vaccine
What cohorts are less likely to be screened for cervical cancer?
Minorities
Low SES
Foreign born
Limited healthcare access
Uninsured
What are the two main types of cervical cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinomas
Where does cervical squamous cell carcinoma arise from?
Squamous epithelial cells of the cervix
Where does cervical adenocarcinoma arise from?
Glandular cells of the endocervix (much harder to identify with pap testing)
What risk reduction measures for preventing cervical cancer?
Sex Ed
Contraceptives (condoms)
HPV vaccine for males and females
What is the best treatment for cervical cancer?
Prevention
What are the screening methods for cervical cancer screening?
Pap test (cytology)
HPV testing
What area of the vagina is at greatest risk for neoplasia?
Squamocolumnar junction
Where are cells obtained from during cervical cancer screening?
External surface of cervix (ectocervix) and cervical canal (endocervix)
*This allows evaluation of the squamocolumnar junction (transformation zone)
Do HPV infections clear without intervention?
Yes, especially in vaccinated women and younger women
What are some cervical cancer screening complications?
Damage to the cervix which can ultimately lead to:
-Cervical stenosis
-Infertility
-Cervical incompetence
-PROM, preterm birth, low-birth weight infants, perinatal death
In what motion should cells be obtained in cervical cancer screening?
Circumferentially
What are the two most common HPV strains causing cervical cancer?
16 and 18
What form of HPV vaccine is currently on the market?
Gardasil 9 (9-valent HPV vaccine)
Due to high effectiveness, the HPV vaccine is recommended to be received when?
Ages 11-12
*Most effective if received before loss of virginity
Is a friable cervix a normal finding?
Yes, it does not indicate cancer
How can you prevent bleeding during cervical sampling?
Obtain endocervix sample prior to extocervix and rotate brush 180 degrees 5 times
Can HPV typing be done on conventional pap test?
No, needs to be liquid based cytology pap
Atypical glandular cells always indicates need for what further testing?
Colposcopy
Endocervical curettage
Endometrial biopsy
What age should cervical cancer be started?
21, regardless of age of initiation of sexual activity
