Occult cancers Flashcards
(15 cards)
What are the top 3 risk factors for pancreatic cancer?
Smoking, diabetes, obesity
What genetic mutations are found in 90% and 50% of pancreatic cancers?
KRAS (90%), TP53 (50%)
What is the classic presentation of pancreatic head vs. body/tail tumors?
Head: Obstructive jaundice + weight loss.
Body/Tail: Epigastric back pain + weight loss
What is the 5-year survival rate?
5% (80% metastatic at diagnosis).
What is the strongest risk factor for ovarian cancer?
Lifetime number of ovulatory cycles (nulliparity, late menopause)
What biomarker is used for ovarian cancer monitoring but not screening? Why?
CA-125 (non-specific; raised in other peritoneal diseases)
What is the primary treatment for advanced ovarian cancer?
Debulking surgery + platinum/taxane chemo (residual tumor size predicts prognosis)
What targeted therapy is used for ovarian cancer BRCA-mutated relapsed disease?
PARP inhibitors (e.g., olaparib)
What are the CRAB criteria for myeloma (bone marrow cancer) symptoms?
Calcium (hypercalcemia)
Renal failure
Anemia
Bone lesions (lytic).
What diagnostic test shows a monoclonal “M spike” for detecting myeloma?
Serum protein electrophoresis (paraprotein).
Name 3 novel therapies for myeloma.
Proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib).
Anti-CD38 mAb (daratumumab).
CAR-T (targeting BCMA).
What is the median survival for ovarian cancer today vs. 30 years ago?
Now: 5-10 years (previously 3 years).
Which cancer has the worst prognosis
Pancreatic! (5% 5-year survival vs. ovarian 20-80%, myeloma 50%)
Which cancer is most likely to present with bone pain?
Myeloma (lytic lesions)
Which is surgically curable if caught early?
Ovarian (Stage I: 80% 5-year survival).
