ONCOLOGY Flashcards
(138 cards)
Most common gynaecological cancer in the UK?
Uterine cancers (5.2%)
Them ovarian -> cervical -> vulval -> vaginal
Which gynaecological cancer has the highest mortality rate in the UK?
Ovarian cancer
Most common gynaecological cancer worldwide?
Cervical cancer
Which gynaecological cancer has the highest mortality rate worldwide?
Cervical cancer
What are some reasons for uterine cancer being the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK?
Ageing population and high prevalence of obesity = both risk factors
Typical age for cervical cancer?
50% of cases occur in women under 45
Incidence rates highest 25-29
Most common types of cervical cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma 80% (ectocervix)
Adenocarcinoma 20% (endocervix)
Features of cervical cancer?
May be asymptomatic and detected by routine cervical screening
Abnormal PV bleeding - post coital, IMB, PMB
Unexplained persistent vaginal discharge
Pelvic pain or dyspareunia
Abnormal appearance of cervix - ulcers, inflammation, bleeding, visible tumour
Assessing for cervical cancer?
Abdominal exam
Bimanual palpation
Speculum
Asses for lymphadenopathy
Arrange urgent referral for colposcopy if cervical cancer suspected
Time interval between HPV infection and cervical cancer?
1-10 years between HPV infections nd pre-cancerous lesion development
>10 years for it to progress to invasive carcinomas
How common is HPv infection in women?
Very prevalent - up to 80% of women will be affected at some point in their lives but the majority of these infections are cleared by the immune system within 2 years
Risk factors for cervical cancer?
HPV infection - particuarly 16,18
Smoking - nicotine suppresses immune system
HIV
Early first intercourse - cervical changes in puberty increase risk
Multiple sexual partners
History of STI
Lack of use of barrier contraception method
High parity >5 full term births
Low socioeconomic status
COCP for >5 years
Not engaging with cervical screening
What are koilocytes?
squamous epithelial cell that has undergone a number of structural changes, which occur as a result of infection of the cell by human papillomavirus
Characteristics of koilocytes?
• enlarged nucleus
• irregular nuclear membrane contour
• the nucleus stains darker than normal (hyperchromasia)
• a perinuclear halo may be seen
When was the NHS cervical screening programme established and how has it affected incidence rates?
In 1988
Cervical cancer incidence rates have nearly halved in the last 20 years
Outline pathophysiology of HPV causing cervical cancer?
HPV 16 produces the E6 oncogene which inhibits p53 tumour suppressor gene
HPV 18 produces the oncogene E7 which inhibits the RB suppressor gene
What is cervical intraepithelial neoplasia?
Aka cervical dysplasia
It’s the potentially precancerous transformation of cells of the cervix.
ITS NOT CANCER! But if untreated could develop into cancer
At what point of the cervical screening is cervical intraepithelial neoplasia diagnosed?
At colposcopy!
What is CIN1? Whats the prognosis?
Mild dysplasia
Affects 1/3rd the thickness of the epithelial layer (ectocervix or endocervix)
60% will regress without Tx and only 10% will continue to CIN2/3
What is CIN2? Whats the prognosis?
Moderate dysplasia
Affects 2/3rds the thickness of the epithelial layer of the cervix
If untreated likely to progress to cancer
What is CIN3? Whats the prognosis?
Severe dysplasia
Very likely to progress to cancer if untreated - 20% of cases will develop into invasive cervical carcinoma within 5 years
Aka cervical carcinoma in situ
Explain FIGO staging of cervical cancer?
IA - confined to cervix, only visible by microscopy and <7mm
(A1 if <3mm and A2 if 3-5)
IB - confined to cervix, clinically visible or >7mm (B1 if <4cm and B2 if >4cm)
II - extension of tumour beyond cervix (A if upper 2/3rd vagina and B if parametrial involvement)
III - extension of tumour beyond cervix and into pelvic wall (A if lower 1/3rd vagina and B if pelvic side wall) - not any tumour causing hydronephrosis or a non-functioning kidney is stage III
IV - involvement of bladder or rectum (A) or extension of tumour beyond the pelvis (B)
Referral criteria for cervical cancer?
Consider a suspected cancer pathway referral (for an appointment within 2 weeks) for women if, on examination, the appearance of their cervix is consistent with cervical cancer.
Management of stage IA cervical cancer
Hysterectomy +/- lymph node clearance (likely if A2)
Cone biopsy or LLETZ may be possible for preservation of fertility
Radical trachelectomy is also an option for A2