Module 10: Diseases of the Female and Male Genital Tract

Question 1

benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Answer 1

nodular proliferation of prostate glands and stroma (therefore sometimes referred to as nodular hyperplasia); when sufficiently large, nodules compress the urethra and cause urinary obstruction. Incidence rises with age (pathologic evidence in 50% of men aged 50-60 yrs; 90% in men >80 yrs).

Question 2

colposcopy

Answer 2

a technique for examining the cervix with an instrument that magnifies the cervix and vagina to allow direct observation and study.

Question 3

cytology

Answer 3

the microscopic study of cells (origin, structure, function and pathology).

Question 4

dysmenhorrea

Answer 4

painful menstruation.

Question 5

cryptorchidism

Answer 5

undescended testes; literally means hidden or obscure testes, and generally refers to failure of testicular descent

Question 6

cyst

Answer 6

an abnormal sac containing gas, fluid or semisolid material, with a membranous lining.

Question 7

ectopic

Answer 7

out of place, e.g. am ectopic pregnancy is one that occurs somewhere other than in the cavity of the uterus ex. in the fallopian tube or ovary.

Question 8

endometrial adenocarcinoma -

Answer 8

the most common malignant tumour of the female genital tract; 85% of tumours are linked to prolonged estrogenic stimulation of the endometrium. Main symptom is uterine bleeding; post-menopausal bleeding is regarded as caused by cancer until proven otherwise and should be investigated by endometrial sampling, endometrial aspiration or D & C (i.e. a biopsy/tissue sample of the endometrium is taken for histological examination).

Question 9

endometrial hyperplasia

Answer 9

refers to a morphological continuum that ranges from simple glandular crowding or disorderly proliferation to a conspicuous proliferation of atypical glands that are difficult to distinguish from early carcinoma

Question 10

endometriosis

Answer 10

the presence of benign endometrial glands and stroma outside of the uterus.

Question 11

hydrosalpinx

Answer 11

accumulation of fluid in the fallopian tube, often an end result of pyosalpinx.

Question 12

hyperplasia

Answer 12

increase in number of cells.

Question 13

human papillomavirus (HPV)

Answer 13

a DNA-containing virus that has a strong association with the development of genital tract warts, squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) and cervical cancer.

Question 14

koilocytes

Answer 14

a squamous cell, often binucleated, showing a perinuclear halo; characteristic of HPV infection.

Question 15

leiomyoma

Answer 15

a benign neoplasm derived from smooth muscle; the most frequent neoplasm of the female genital tract; occur in the body of the uterus in 20 - 30% of women over the age of 30. Are variable in size, shape, number and location.

Question 16

menarche

Answer 16

• the establishment or beginning of menstrual function.

Question 17

menorrhagia

Answer 17

excessive menstrual bleeding.

Question 18

metaplasia

Answer 18

the change of one type of adult cell into another.

Question 19

Pap smear

Answer 19

named after Dr. Papanicolaou; the stain he developed allows for the microscopic examination of sloughed/scraped cells obtained from the cervix and vagina to detect cervical pre-cancer. Sexually active women between the ages of 21 to 69 years old should receive regular Pap smears. Its use has drastically reduced the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in North America.

Question 20

pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Answer 20

An infection of the pelvic organs that follows spread of a variety of microorganisms beyond the body of the uterus; infection of the fallopian tubes is common (salpingitis). It may be sexually transmitted (N. gonorrhea is the principal organism), follow an abortion or pregnancy, or occur after IUD insertion or curettage. Chlamydia in frequent and often clinically silent.

Question 21

prostate specific antigen (PSA)

Answer 21

protein produced by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland; elevated blood levels occur in association with prostate cancer, but are not specific for cancer (i.e. other benign conditions can elevate PSA). Blood PSA tests are most useful for screening for recurrence of cancer.

Question 22

prostatic adenocarcinoma

Answer 22

the most common form of malignancy in men; incidence rises rapidly with age. Outcome is dependent on stage and grade of tumor; localized tumors have an excellent outcome when treated surgically (i.e. radical prostatectomy); prognosis poor if distant metastases. Most early cancers are clinically silent, hence screening for men > 50 yrs recommended (i.e. DRE; serum PSA; transrectal ultrasound).

Question 23

pyosalpinx

Answer 23

distention of the fallopian tube with pus.

Question 24

squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL)

Answer 24

a spectrum of intraepithelial changes in the cervix that can be low grade or high grade in appearance. High grade SIL in the cervix is a precursor to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Low grade SIL (LSIL) - enlarged nuclei; high grade SIL (HSIL) - dark, irregular nuclei, loss of cytoplasm.

Question 25

salpingitis

Answer 25

inflammation of the fallopian tube (from salpinx = trumpet or tube).

Question 26

teratoma

Answer 26

a neoplasm composed of tissues from all three germ layers (ectoderm, endoderm, mesoderm); occur most frequently in the ovary where they are usually benign and form dermoid cysts (hair & skin predominate).