Endometriosis, Benign and Malignant Tumours Flashcards

This set of flashcards covers the vocabulary and key concepts from the lecture on Endometriosis, Benign, and Malignant Tumours of the reproductive system, including pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management.

Tumour

Abnormal growth / swelling.

Benign

Non-cancerous growth.

Malignant

Cancerous growth.

Endometriosis

A common condition in $1-2\%$ of reproductive women where endometrial tissue is found outside the endometrial cavity.

Responds to cyclical hormonal change

The mechanism by which endometriosis causes repeated bleeding and healing, adhesions, pain, and infertility.

Deep dyspareunia

A clinical manifestation of endometriosis, specifically when it is located in the Pouch of Douglas.

Fixed retroverted uterus

One of the findings during a vaginal examination for diagnosing endometriosis.

Laparoscopy

An investigation that allows for concurrent surgical diathermy and/or excision of lesions and staging of endometriosis.

NSAIDs

Medication used in medical management to reduce pain and dysmenorrhea in endometriosis.

Combined OCP (COC)

Hormonal treatment used for $6$ months and then indefinitely until pregnancy is intended for endometriosis patients.

GnRH agonists

Treatment that suppresses estrogen to reduce symptoms of endometriosis, but used for no longer than $6$ months due to osteoporosis risk.

Definitive surgery

Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy performed when family is complete or symptoms are severe and progressive.

Leiomyoma

A common benign tumor of uterine smooth muscle, also known as fibroids, found in $20\% - 40\%$ of women over $30$ years of age.

Hypoestrogenic environment

A condition that leads to a reduction in the size of fibroids.

Submucous fibroid

Fibroid located in the endometrial cavity which can cause menorrhagia by distorting the cavity.

Intramural fibroid

The most common type of fibroid, located within the myometrium.

Subserous fibroid

Fibroid located on the outer border of the myometrium.

Pedunculated fibroid

A fibroid characterized by a narrow pedicle.

Cervical fibroid

A fibroid located in the cervix.

Carneous degeneration

Also known as red degeneration, it is a cause of unusual pain in fibroids, mostly occurring during late pregnancy.

Postpartum haemorrhage (in fibroids)

A pregnancy-related complication of fibroids caused by insufficient uterine contraction.

Myomectomy

The surgical removal of single or multiple leiomyomas (abdominal, hysteroscopic, or laparoscopic).

Uterine Artery Embolization

An alternative to surgery where particles are injected into the femoral artery to occlude the blood supply to fibroids.

Laparoscopic myolysis & cryomyolysis

A new treatment using laser, coagulation current, or a probe at $-180\,^{\circ}\text{C}$ to cause cell death in fibroids.

Hyaline degeneration

The most common degenerative change in fibroids where overgrowth of fibrous tissue leads to hyalinization.

Sarcormatous degeneration

A rare degenerative change in fibroids occurring in less than $1\%$ of cases.

Vaginal cancer Stage 1

Cancerous cells are found localized in the vaginal wall.

Vaginal cancer Stage 2

The cancer has spread to the tissue next to the vagina.

Cervical cancer risk factors

First intercourse at young age, multiple sexual partners, smoking, HPV infections, and being immunosuppressed.

Postcoital bleeding & discharge

The primary signs and symptoms of cervical cancer.

LEEP

Loop electrosurgical excision procedure, a treatment for pre-cancerous cervical changes.

Cervical Cancer Stage I

Cancer is small and has not spread to other parts of the body.

Cervical Cancer Stage III

Cancer has spread to the lower part of the vagina or pelvis.

Endometrial cancer risk factors

Obesity, nulliparous status, DM, late menopause, and unopposed estrogen therapy.

TABHBSO

The treatment for endometrial and uterine cancer, standing for Total Abdominal Hysterectomy and Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy.

FIGO Stage IA

Endometrial tumor invasion of $\le 50\%$ of the myometrium.

FIGO Stage IB

Endometrial tumor invasion of $> 50\%$ of the myometrium.

FIGO Stage II

Endometrial tumor invasion of the cervical stroma.

Uterine cancer Stage 3

Cancer has spread outside the uterus to nearby lymph nodes, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or vagina, but not to the bladder or rectum.

Ovarian cancer

The 2nd most common malignant tumor with a poor survival rate, often diagnosed late.

Ovarian Cancer Stage 2

Cancerous cells have spread from the ovaries to other parts of the pelvis, such as fallopian tubes or uterus.

Ovarian Cancer Stage 4

The cancer has spread beyond the abdomen to distant sites like the lungs or spleen.

Omentectomy

Surgical removal of the omentum, often performed as part of treatment for ovarian cancer.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)

A tumor marker used for gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD).

Alpha fetoprotein (AFP)

A tumor marker used for ovarian cancer or testicular cancer.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)

A tumor marker for cancers of the breast, cervix, and ovary.

CA 125

A tumor marker especially used for ovarian cancer, also increased in cancers of the uterus, cervix, and breast.

CA 15-3

A tumor marker increased in breast cancer and potentially in advanced stage ovarian cancer.

Pipelle

An investigation tool used for sampling uterine tissue.

Colposcopy

An assessment investigation used specifically for examining the cervix.