Urology Flashcards
(188 cards)
What is the definition of haematuria ?
The presence of blood in the urine either visible or non-visible.
What is the classification of haematuria ?
Visible - blood is visible in urine colouring it pink, red or dark brown
Non-visible - blood is present in the urine on urinalysis but not visible. This can be separated further for symptomatic and non-symptomatic.
What are some causes of haematuria ?
UTI
Renal cancer
Bladder cancer
Renal calculi
Prostate cancer
BPH
Glomerulonephritis
Goodpasture’s disease
What key questions should be asked to assess haematuria ?
Quantity ( pink vs dark red )
Presence of clots
Any fever, suprapubic pain, flank pain, weight loss or recent trauma
Drug history and smoking status
Recent foreign travel
What simple investigations should be performed for haematuria ?
Urinalysis - the presence of leucocytes and nitrates may suggest UTI
Baseline bloods - FBC, U&E’s and clotting, PSA in men,
Referral to a urologist may be needed
What is the criteria for a urological referral for haematuria ?
Aged over 45 with either :
- unexplained visible haematuria with no UTI
- visible haematuria that persists or recurs after successful treatment of a UTI
Aged over 60 with unexplained non-visible haematuria and either dysuria or a raised WCC
What are some specialist investigations that are performed for haematuria ?
Flexible cytoscopy is gold standard
USS of renal tract
CT urogram
What is the pathophysiology of RCC ?
It is an adenocarcinoma of the renal cortex arising from the proximal convoluted tubule most often appearing in the upper pole of the kidney.
It spreads through direct invasion ( perinephric tissues, adrenal gland or renal vein )and lymphatic system ( nodes ) or haematogenous ( bones, liver, brain and lungs ).
What are some risk factors for RCC ?
Smoking
Industrial exposure to carcinogens ( cadmium, lead )
Dialysis
HTN
Diabetes
PCKS
What are some clinical features of RCC ?
Haematuria ( visible or non-visible )
Flank pain
Flank mass
Lethargy
Weight loss
What is the classic triad of RCC ?
Haematuria
A mass
Flank pain
What may be seen on examination in someone with RCC ?
Mass palpated in the flank or hypochondrial region
Left sided masses may also be present with a left varicocoele due to compression of the left testicular vein as it joins the renal vein.
What are some investigations for RCC ?
Routine bloods - FBC, U&E’S, LFTs, CRP
Urinalysis
Urine cytology
USS renal tract, kidneys
CT imaging - abdomen pelvis ( pre and post contrast ) is gold standard
Biopsy
What is the management for a localised RCC ?
Smaller tumours - partial nephrectomy
Larger tumours - radical nephrectomy ( removal of the kidney, perinephric fat and local lymph nodes )
Not suitable for surgery - percutaneous radio frequency nephrectomy
What is the management of metastatic RCC ?
Nephrectomy combined with immunotherapy
Biological agents can be used in combination
Metastasectomy is recommended if resectable
( Chemotherapy is ineffective )
What are some uncommon presentations caused by paraneoplastic syndrome of the RCC ?
Polycythaemia duct to erythropoietin
Hypercalcaemia due to increase in PTH
HTN due to increase in renin
Pyrexia
What does a transurethral resection of bladder tumour consist of ?
Resection of bladder tissue by diathermy during rigid cytoscopy.
Usually performed under general or regional anaesthesia.
The biopsy samples can aid is assessing the stage of disease.
What are the subtypes of bladder cancer ?
Transitional cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Adenocarcinoma ( rare )
Sarcoma ( rare )
What are the 4 layers of the bladder wall ?
Inner lining - transitional epithelium or urothelium
Connective tissue layer - lamina propria
Muscular layer - muscularis propria
Fatty connective tissue
What are some risk factors for bladder cancer ?
Smoking
Age
Exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons ( industrial dyes or rubbers )
Schistomiasis infection
Previous radiation to the pelvis
What are some clinical features of bladder cancer ?
Painless haematuria ( visible or non-visible )
Recurrent UTI’s
Lower urinary tract symptoms ( frequency, urgency or feeling of incomplete voiding ).
Pelvic pain
Weight loss
Lethargy
In TNM what is the T staging ?
Tis - in situ ( contained within the basement membrane )
T1 - through lamina propria into sub-epithelial connective tissue
T2 - into muscularis propria layer
T3 - invasion into the perivesical tissues
T4 - direct invasion into adjacent local structures
In TNM what is the N staging ?
N0 - no nodal involvement
N1 - single node involvement less than 2cm
N2 - single node involvement 2-5cm or multiple nodes less than 5cm
N3 - one or more nodes greater than 5cm
In TNM what is the M staging ?
M0 - no metastases
M1 - metastases present