PassMed Flashcards
(179 cards)
Ectopic pregnancy: epidemiology and risk factors
Implantation of a fertilized ovum outside the uterus results in an ectopic pregnancy
Epidemiology
- incidence = c. 0.5% of all pregnancies
Risk factors (anything slowing the ovum’s passage to the uterus)
- damage to tubes (pelvic inflammatory disease/STIs, surgery)
- previous ectopic
- endometriosis
- IUCD
- smoking
- progesterone only pill
- IVF (3% of pregnancies are ectopic)
Ectopic pregnancy: pathophysiology
Basics
- 97% are tubal, with most in ampulla
- more dangerous if in isthmus Ectopic pregnancy localised to the isthmus increases the risk of rupture
- 3% in ovary, cervix or peritoneum
- trophoblast invades the tubal wall, producing bleeding which may dislodge the embryo
Natural history - most common are absorption and tubal abortion
- tubal abortion
- tubal absorption: if the tube does not rupture, the blood and embryo may be shed or converted into a tubal mole and absorbed
- tubal rupture
Ectopic pregnancy: symptoms and examination findings
Implantation of a fertilized ovum outside the uterus results in an ectopic pregnancy
A typical history is a female with a history of 6-8 weeks amenorrhoea who presents with lower abdominal pain and later develops vaginal bleeding
-
lower abdominal pain
- due to tubal spasm
- typically the first symptom
- pain is usually constant and may be unilateral.
-
vaginal bleeding
- usually less than a normal period
- may be dark brown in colour
-
history of recent amenorrhoea
- typically 6-8 weeks from the start of last period
- if longer (e.g. 10 wks) this suggest another causes e.g. inevitable abortion
- peritoneal bleeding can cause shoulder tip pain and pain on defecation / urination
- dizziness, fainting or syncope may be seen
- symptoms of pregnancy such as breast tenderness may also be reported
Examination findings
- abdominal tenderness
- cervical excitation (also known as cervical motion tenderness)
- adnexal mass: NICE advise NOT to examine for an adnexal mass due to an increased risk of rupturing the pregnancy. A pelvic examination to check for cervical excitation is however recommended
In the case of pregnancy of unknown location, serum bHCG levels >1,500 points toward a diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy: investigation and management
Cervical ectropion
On the ectocervix there is a transformation zone where the stratified squamous epithelium meets the columnar epithelium of the cervical canal. Elevated oestrogen levels (ovulatory phase, pregnancy, combined oral contraceptive pill use) result in larger area of columnar epithelium being present on the ectocervix
The term cervical erosion is used less commonly now
This may result in the following features
- vaginal discharge
- POST-COITAL BLEEDING
Ablative treatment (for example ‘cold coagulation’) is only used for troublesome symptoms
Placenta praevia
Placenta praevia describes a placenta lying wholly or partly in the lower uterine segment
Epidemiology
- 5% will have low-lying placenta when scanned at 16-20 weeks gestation
- incidence at delivery is only 0.5%, therefore most placentas rise away from cervix
Associated factors
- multiparity
- multiple pregnancy
- embryos are more likely to implant on a lower segment scar from previous caesarean section
Clinical features
- shock in proportion to visible loss
- no pain
- uterus not tender
- lie and presentation may be abnormal
- fetal heart usually normal
- coagulation problems rare
- small bleeds before large
Investigations
- placenta praevia is often picked up on the routine 20 week abdominal ultrasound
- the RCOG recommend the use of transvaginal ultrasound as it improves the accuracy of placental localisation and is considered safe
Classical grading
- I - placenta reaches lower segment but not the internal os
- II - placenta reaches internal os but doesn’t cover it
- III - placenta covers the internal os before dilation but not when dilated
- IV (‘major’) - placenta completely covers the internal os
Genital herpes
A 22-year-old female attends your practice complaining of feeling ‘sore’ in the genital area. She has had multiple sexual partners recently and has not always used barrier contraception. You find small red blisters on the vulva and vagina.
There are two strains of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) in humans: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Whilst it was previously thought HSV-1 accounted for oral lesions (cold sores) and HSV-2 for genital herpes it is now known there is considerable overlap
Features
- painful genital ulceration
- may be associated with dysuria and pruritus
- the primary infection is often more severe than recurrent episodes
- systemic features such as headache, fever and malaise are more common in primary episodes
- tender inguinal lymphadenopathy
- urinary retention may occur
Investigations
- nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) is the investigation of choice in genital herpes and are now considered superior to viral culture
- HSV serology may be useful in certain situations such as recurrent genital ulceration of unknown cause
Management
- general measures include:
- saline bathing
- analgesia
- topical anaesthetic agents e.g. lidocaine
-
oral aciclovir
- some patients with frequent exacerbations may benefit from longer-term aciclovir
Pregnancy
- elective caesarean section at term is advised if a primary attack of herpes occurs during pregnancy at greater than 28 weeks gestation
- women with recurrent herpes who are pregnant should be treated with suppressive therapy and be advised that the risk of transmission to their baby is low
Cervical cancer screening: interpretation of results
The NHS has now moved to an HPV first system, i.e. a sample is tested for high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (hrHPV) first and cytological examination is only performed if this is positive.
Negative hrHPV
- return to normal recall, unless
- the test of cure (TOC) pathway: individuals who have been treated for CIN1, CIN2, or CIN3 should be invited 6 months after treatment for a test of cure repeat cervical sample in the community
- the untreated CIN1 pathway
- follow-up for incompletely excised cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia (CGIN) / stratified mucin producing intraepithelial lesion (SMILE) or cervical cancer
- follow-up for borderline changes in endocervical cells
Positive hrHPV
- samples are examined cytologically
- if the cytology is abnormal → colposcopy
- this includes the following results:
- borderline changes in squamous or endocervical cells.
- low-grade dyskaryosis.
- high-grade dyskaryosis (moderate).
- high-grade dyskaryosis (severe).
- invasive squamous cell carcinoma.
- glandular neoplasia
-
if the cytology is normal (i.e. hrHPV +ve but cytologically normal) the test is repeated at 12 months
- if the repeat test is now hrHPV -ve → return to normal recall
- if the repeat test is still hrHPV +ve and cytology still normal → further repeat test 12 months later:
- If hrHPV -ve at 24 months → return to normal recall
- if hrHPV +ve at 24 months → colposcopy
If the sample is ‘inadequate’
- repeat the sample within 3 months
- if two consecutive inadequate samples then → colposcopy
If HIV:
- annual cervical screening
If pregnant:
- normal cytology = 3 months post party
- abnormal cytology (low-grade) = wait until post-delivery
- abnormal cytology (high-grade) = colposcopy (later first or early second trimester)
The follow-up of patients who’ve previously had CIN is complicated but as a first step, individuals who’ve been treated for CIN1, CIN2, or CIN3 should be invited 6 months after treatment for a test of cure repeat cervical sample in the community.
Human papilloma viruses 6 and 11 are non-carcinogenic and associated with genital warts so if HPV+ve → return to normal 3-yearly screening, and discuss safe-sex practices
Mechanism of HPV causing cervical cancer
- HPV 16 & 18 produces the oncogenes E6 and E7 genes respectively
- E6 inhibits the p53 tumour suppressor gene
- E7 inhibits RB suppressor gene
Cervical cancer: FIGO cervical staging and mx
Management of stage IA tumours
- Gold standard of treatment is hysterectomy +/- lymph node clearance
- Nodal clearance for A2 tumours
- For patients wanting to maintain fertility, a cone biopsy with negative margins can be performed
- Close follow-up of these patients is advised
- For A2 tumours, node evaluation must be performed
- Radical trachelectomy is also an option for A2
Management of stage IB tumours
- For B1 tumours: radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy is advised
- Radiotherapy may either be bachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy
- Cisplatin is the commonly used chemotherapeutic agent
- For B2 tumours: radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph node dissection
Management of stage II and III tumours
- Radiation with concurrent chemotherapy
- See above for choice of chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- If hydronephrosis, nephrostomy should be considered
Management of stage IV tumours
- Radiation and/or chemotherapy is the treatment of choice
- Palliative chemotherapy may be best option for stage IVB
Management of recurrent disease
- Primary surgical treatment: offer chemoradiation or radiotherapy
- Primary radiation treatment: offer surgical therapy
Cervical cancer prognosis
HNPCC and associated GYN cancers
Patients with HNPCC are also at a higher risk of other cancers, with endometrial cancer being the next most common association, after colon cancer.
Hormone replacement therapy: adverse effects
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) involves the use of a small dose of oestrogen (combined with a progestogen in women with a uterus) to help alleviate menopausal symptoms.
Side-effects
- nausea
- breast tenderness
- fluid retention and weight gain
Potential complications
- increased risk of breast cancer
- increased by the addition of a progestogen
- in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study there was a relative risk of 1.26 at 5 years of developing breast cancer
- the increased risk relates to the duration of use
- the risk of breast cancer begins to decline when HRT is stopped and by 5 years it reaches the same level as in women who have never taken HRT
- increased risk of endometrial cancer
- oestrogen by itself should not be given as HRT to women with a womb
- reduced by the addition of a progestogen but not eliminated completely
- the BNF states that the additional risk is eliminated if a progestogen is given continuously
- increased risk of venous thromboembolism
- increased by the addition of a progestogen
- transdermal HRT does not appear to increase the risk of VTE
- NICE state women requesting HRT who are at high risk for VTE should be referred to haematology before starting any treatment (even transdermal)
- increased risk of stroke
- increased risk of ischaemic heart disease if taken more than 10 years after menopause
Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common malignancy in females. The peak age of incidence is 60 years and it generally carries a poor prognosis due to late diagnosis.
Pathophysiology
- around 90% of ovarian cancers are epithelial in origin, with 70-80% of cases being due to serous carcinomas
- interestingly, it is now increasingly recognised that the distal end of the fallopian tube is often the site of origin of many ‘ovarian’ cancers
Risk factors
- family history: mutations of the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 gene
- many ovulations*: early menarche, late menopause, nulliparity
- Age, FHx, obesity, HRT, endometriosis, smoking, diabetes
Protective factors = COCP, pregnancy and breastfeeding, hysterectomy
Clinical features are notoriously vague
- abdominal distension and bloating
- abdominal and pelvic pain
- urinary symptoms e.g. Urgency
- early satiety
- diarrhoea
Investigations
- CA125
- NICE recommends a CA125 test is done initially. Endometriosis, menstruation, benign ovarian cysts and other conditions may also raise the CA125 level
- if the CA125 is raised (35 IU/mL or greater) then an urgent ultrasound scan of the abdomen and pelvis should be ordered
- a CA125 should not be used for screening for ovarian cancer in asymptomatic women
- ultrasound
Diagnosis is difficult and usually involves diagnostic laparotomy
Management
- usually a combination of surgery and platinum-based chemotherapy
Prognosis
- 80% of women have advanced disease at presentation
- the all stage 5-year survival is 46%
*It is traditionally taught that infertility treatment increases the risk of ovarian cancer, as it increases the number of ovulations. Recent evidence however suggests that there is not a significant link. The combined oral contraceptive pill reduces the risk (fewer ovulations) as does having many pregnancies.
Combined oral contraceptive pill: contraindications
The decision of whether to start a women on the combined oral contraceptive pill is now guided by the UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (UKMEC). This scale categorises the potential cautions and contraindications according to a four point scale, as detailed below:
- UKMEC 1: a condition for which there is no restriction for the use of the contraceptive method
- UKMEC 2: advantages generally outweigh the disadvantages
- UKMEC 3: disadvantages generally outweigh the advantages
- UKMEC 4: represents an unacceptable health risk
Examples of UKMEC 3 conditions include
- more than 35 years old and smoking less than 15 cigarettes/day
- BMI > 35 kg/m^2*
- family history of thromboembolic disease in first degree relatives < 45 years
- controlled hypertension
- immobility e.g. wheel chair use
- carrier of known gene mutations associated with breast cancer (e.g. BRCA1/BRCA2)
- current gallbladder disease
Examples of UKMEC 4 conditions include
- more than 35 years old and smoking more than 15 cigarettes/day
- migraine with aura
- history of thromboembolic disease or thrombogenic mutation
- history of stroke or ischaemic heart disease
- breast feeding < 6 weeks post-partum
- uncontrolled hypertension
- current breast cancer
- major surgery with prolonged immobilisation
Diabetes mellitus diagnosed > 20 years ago is classified as UKMEC 3 or 4 depending on severity
Changes in 2016
- breast feeding 6 weeks - 6 months postpartum was changed from UKMEC 3 → 2
Tumour markers
Raised beta-human chorionic gonadotropin with a raised alpha-feto protein level
- a raised AFP level excludes a seminoma → non-seminomatous testicular cancer
Premature ovarian failure
Premature ovarian failure is defined as the onset of menopausal symptoms and elevated gonadotrophin levels before the age of 40 years. It occurs in around 1 in 100 women.
In premature ovarian failure, the pituitary responds to low levels of oestrogen by increasing the production of gonadotropins in an attempt to stimulate the production of oestradiol in the ovary but fails to do so.
TO MAKE DIAGNOSIS = hormones (FSH, LH) need to be elevated when tested TWICE, FOUR weeks aka A MONTH apart
Causes of premature menopause include:
- idiopathic
- the most common cause
- there may be a family history
- bilateral oophorectomy
- having a hysterectomy with preservation of the ovaries has also been shown to advance the age of menopause
- radiotherapy
- chemotherapy
- infection: e.g. mumps
- autoimmune disorders
- resistant ovary syndrome: due to FSH receptor abnormalities
Features are similar to those of the normal climacteric but the actual presenting problem may differ
- climacteric symptoms: hot flushes, night sweats
- infertility
- secondary amenorrhoea
- raised FSH, LH levels
- e.g. FSH > 40 iu/l, FSH í >20 in a woman <40
- low oestradiol
- e.g. < 100 pmol/l
Mx:
The patient should be treated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) until at least the age of normal menopause (51), unless the risks of HRT treatment outweigh the benefits.
ovarian tumours
There are 4 main types of ovarian tumours
- surface derived tumours
- germ cell tumours
- sex cord-stromal tumours
- metastasis
Germ cell tumours mainly affects YOUNGER WOMEN
Associated with benign fibroma The three features of Meig’s syndrome are:
- a benign ovarian tumour
- ascites
- pleural effusion
It is a rare condition usually occurring in woman over the age of 40 years and the ovarian tumour is generally a fibroma. It is managed by the surgical removal of the tumour, however the ascites and pleural effusion may need to be drained first to allow symptomatic relief and improve pulmonary function before the anaesthetic. It has excellent prognosis due to the benign nature of the tumour.
Most common benign ovarian tumour in women under the age of 25 years = dermoid cyst (teratoma)
The most common cause of ovarian enlargement in women of a reproductive age = follicular cyst
Germ cell tumours (table below)
Endometriosis
A 17-year-old obese girl presents with worsening dysmenorrhea. She began menarche aged 9, and her periods were initially fine. In the last 2 months, they have been more painful, and she has had to take days off school due to the pain. She has not tried any medications for the pain and has never been sexually active.
Endometriosis is a common condition characterised by the growth of ectopic endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity. Around 10% of women of a reproductive age have a degree of endometriosis.
Ddx:
- Adenomyosis
- Chronic PID
- Chronic pelvic pain
- other causes of pelvic masses
- IBS
Clinical features
- chronic pelvic pain
- dysmenorrhoea - pain often starts days before bleeding
- deep dyspareunia
- subfertility
- non-gynaecological: urinary symptoms e.g. dysuria, urgency, haematuria. Dyschezia (painful bowel movements)
- on pelvic examination reduced organ mobility, tender nodularity in the posterior vaginal fornix and visible vaginal endometriotic lesions may be seen
Investigation
- laparoscopy is the gold-standard investigation
- there is little role for investigation in primary care (e.g. ultrasound)- if the symptoms are significant the patient should be referred for a definitive diagnosis
Management depends on clinical features - there is poor correlation between laparoscopic findings and severity of symptoms. NICE published guidelines in 2017:
- NSAIDs and/or paracetamol are the recommended first-line treatments for symptomatic relief
- AVOID OPIATES/CODEINE as could worsen co-existing IBS
- if analgesia doesn’t help then hormonal treatments such as the combined oral contraceptive pill or progestogens e.g. medroxyprogesterone acetate should be tried → more effective tricycled (3 packs back to back)
If analgesia/hormonal treatment does not improve symptoms or if fertility is a priority the patient should be referred to secondary care. Secondary treatments include:
- GnRH analogues - said to induce a ‘pseudomenopause’ due to the low oestrogen levels
- drug therapy unfortunately does not seem to have a significant impact on fertility rates
- surgery: some treatments such as laparoscopic excision and laser treatment of endometriotic ovarian cysts may improve fertility
IUI and IVF for sub fertility if complication of endometriosis
Endometrial Cancer (endometrial hyperplasia is in picture)
Endometrial cancer is classically seen in post-menopausal women but around 25% of cases occur before the menopause. It usually carries a good prognosis due to early detection
The risk factors for endometrial cancer are as follows*:
- obesity and HTN
- diabetes mellitus
- nulliparity
- early menarche
- late menopause
- unopposed oestrogen. The addition of a progestogen to oestrogen reduces this risk (e.g. In HRT). The BNF states that the additional risk is eliminated if a progestogen is given continuously
- tamoxifen
- polycystic ovarian syndrome
- hereditary non-polyposis colorectal carcinoma
Features
- postmenopausal bleeding is the classic symptom
- premenopausal women may have a change intermenstrual bleeding
- pain and discharge are unusual features
Investigation
- women >= 55 years who present with postmenopausal bleeding should be referred using the suspected cancer pathway
- first-line investigation is trans-vaginal ultrasound - a normal endometrial thickness (< 4 mm) has a high negative predictive value
- 2nd line = hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy
- also speculum and bimanual to exclude other differentials of PMB
Management
- localised disease is treated with total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Patients with high-risk disease may have post-operative radiotherapy
- progestogen therapy is sometimes used in frail elderly women not consider suitable for surgery
- Wertheim’s radical hysterectomy includes removal of lymph nodes and is used to treat stage IIB endometrial carcinoma.
Prognosis
- 75% 5-year survival = good prognosis
*the combined oral contraceptive pill and smoking are protective
PMS
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) describes the emotional and physical symptoms that women may experience in the luteal phase of the normal menstrual cycle.
PMS only occurs in the presence of ovulatory menstrual cycles - it doesn’t occur prior to puberty, during pregnancy or after the menopause.
Emotional symptoms include:
- anxiety
- stress
- fatigue
- mood swings
Physical symptoms
- bloating
- breast pain
Management
Options depend on the severity of symptoms
- mild symptoms can be managed with lifestyle advice
- apart from the usual advice on sleep, exercise, smoking and alcohol, specific advice includes regular, frequent (2–3 hourly), small, balanced meals rich in complex carbohydrates
- moderate symptoms may benefit from a new-generation combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) CONTRAINDICATED IN AURA W/ MIGRAINE
- examples include Yasmin® (drospirenone 3 mg and ethinylestradiol 0.030 mg)
- severe symptoms may benefit from a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)
- this may be taken continuously or just during the luteal phase (for example days 15–28 of the menstrual cycle, depending on its length)
vulval carcinoma
Around 80% of vulval cancers are squamous cell carcinomas. Most cases occur in women over the age of 65 years. Vulval cancer is relatively rare with only around 1,200 cases diagnosed in the UK each year.
Sx:
- Lump with or without lymphadenopathy
- Itching
- Non-healing ulcer
- Vulval pain
Other than age, risk factors include:
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection
- Vulval intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)
- Immunosuppression
- Lichen sclerosus
Features
- lump or ulcer on the labia majora
- inguinal lymphadenopathy
- may be associated with itching, irritation
mx
Lichen sclerosus
A 72 year-old woman presents to the GP with an itchy, sore white plaque on her vulva. The patient has a past medical history of type 1 diabetes and no personal or family history of cancer. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
Lichen sclerosus was previously termed lichen sclerosus et atrophicus. It is an inflammatory condition which usually affects the genitalia and is more common in elderly females. Lichen sclerosus leads to atrophy of the epidermis with white plaques forming
Features
- itch is prominent
The diagnosis is usually made on clinical grounds but a biopsy may be performed if atypical features are present*
Management
- topical steroids and emollients
Follow-up:
- increased risk of vulval cancer
*the RCOG advise the following → no biopsy needed
PCOS: features and investigation
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex condition of ovarian dysfunction thought to affect between 5-20% of women of reproductive age. The aetiology of PCOS is not fully understood. Both hyperinsulinaemia and high levels of luteinizing hormone are seen in PCOS and there appears to be some overlap with the metabolic syndrome.
Features
- subfertility and infertility
- menstrual disturbances: oligomenorrhea and amenorrhoea → HMB when they do happen
- hirsutism, acne (due to hyperandrogenism)
- obesity (weight gain)
- acanthosis nigricans (due to insulin resistance)
Investigations
- pelvic ultrasound: multiple cysts on the ovaries
- FSH, LH, prolactin, TSH, and testosterone are useful investigations: raised LH:FSH ratio is a ‘classical’ feature but is no longer thought to be useful in diagnosis. Prolactin may be normal or mildly elevated. Testosterone may be normal or mildly elevated - however, if markedly raised consider other causes
- check for impaired glucose tolerance (hyperinsulinaemia, high HbA1c)
Ovarian cysts: types
Complex (i.e. multi-loculated) ovarian cysts should be biopsied (cystectomy) with high suspicion of ovarian malignancy
Complex cysts - defined as cysts containing a solid mass, or those which are multi-loculated - should be treated as malignant until proven otherwise.
serum CA-125, αFP and βHCG are performed for all pre-menopausal women with complex ovarian cysts.