Oncology AS Flashcards
Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer
~10% of breast Ca is familial
~5% is caused by BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations.
- Both TSGs
- BRCA1: Breast Ca ~80%, Ovarian Ca ~40%.
- BRCA2: Breast Ca ~80%, male breast Ca + prostate cancer
May opt for prophylactic mastectomy and oophrectomy
Familial Prostate Ca
- ~5% of those with prostate Ca have +ve fam HX
- Multifactorial inheritance
- BRCA1/2 –> moderately increased risk.
Familial CRC
- ~20% of those with prostate Ca have +ve Fam history.
- Relative risk of CRC for individual with FH related to:
Closeness of relative
Age of relative when Dx.
Types of familial CRC?
- Familial Adenomatous Polyposis
- HNPCC
- Peutz-Jehgers
What is FAP?
Familial Adenomatous POlyposis
- Mutation in APC gene on Chr 5
- TSG
- Promotes B-catenin degradation
Cells then acquire another mutation to become Ca (p53/kRAS).
- AD transmission
- ~100% risk of CRC by 50yrs.
What is HNPCC?
Familial clustering of cancers - Lynch 1: CRC - Lynch 2: CRC + other Ca Ovarian Endometrial Pancreas Small Bowel Renal pelvis
Mutations iN DNA mismatch repair gene
AD transmission
Often Right-sided CRC
Present @ young age: <50yr.
What is Peutz-Jegher’s
- AD transmission
- Multiple GI hamartomatous polyps
- Mucocutaneous hyperpigmentation
(lips, palms). - 10/20% lifetime risk of CRC
- Also increased risk of other Ca
Pancreas
Lung
Breast
Ovaries and Uterus
Testes.
Oncological emergencies - Febrile Neutropenia?
PMN < 1x10^8
- Isolation + barrier nursing
- Meticulous antisepsis
- Broad-spectrum Abx, anti-fungal, anti-virals
- Prophylaxis: co-trimoxazole.
Oncological emergencies - Spinal Cord compression?
Presentation
- Back pain, radicular pain
- Motor reflexes and sensory level
- Bladder and bowel dysfunction
Causes of Spinal cord compression?
- Usually extradural metastasis
- Crush fracture
Investigations of spinal cord compression
Urgent MRI spine
Spinal cord compression management?
- PO Dexamethasone 8mg BD
- Discuss with neurosurgeon and oncologist
- Consider radiotherapy or surgery
SVCO with airway compromise?
SVCO not an emergency unless there’s tracheal compression with airway compromise.
Causes of SVC compression?
- Usually Lung Ca
- Thymus malignancy
- LNs
- SVC thrombosis: central lines, nephrotic syndrome
- Fibrotic bands: Lung fibrosis after chemo
Presentation of SVC compression?
Headache Dyspnoea and orthopneoa Plethora + thread veins in SVC distribution Swollen face and arms Engorged neck veins
What is Pemberton’s sign?
- Lifting arms above head for >1min –> facial plethora, increased JVP and inspiratory stridor
- Due to narrowing of the thoracic inlet.
Investigations of SVCO?
sputum cytology
CXR
CT
Venography
Management for SVCO?
- Dexamethasone (dex for malignancy, mannitol for everything else)
- Consider Balloon venoplasty + SVC stenting
- Radical or palliative chemo/radio.
Hypercalcaemia in Oncology?
40% of those with myeloma
10-20% of those with Ca
Due to lytic bone mets
Production of PTHrP
Symptoms of Hypercalcaemia
Confusion Renal stones Polyuria and polydipsia Abdo pain, constipation Depression Lethargy Anorexia
Investigations of Hypercalcaemia?
- Increase Ca Often >3mm
- Decreased PTH (key to exclude increased HPT)
- CXR
- Isotope bone scan.
Management of Hypercalcaemia?
Aggressive hydration
- 0.9% NS
- Monitor volume status
- Furosemide when full to make room for more fluid.
If primary HPT excluded, give maintenance therapy - bisphosphonate: Zoledronate is good.
Other oncological emergencies?
Raised ICP
Tumour Lysis Syndrome
Management of cancer - Chemotherapy?
Cancer must be managed in an MDT
- Neoadjuvant (Shrink tumour to decreased need for major surgery. Control early micromets.
- Primary therapy (sole Management in haematological cancers)
- Adjuvant
decreased change of relapse e.g breast and GI cancer - Palliative
Provide relief from symptoms