Female reproductive tract Flashcards Preview

Pathology > Female reproductive tract > Flashcards

Flashcards in Female reproductive tract Deck (17)
Loading flashcards...
1
Q

Presenting complaints

A

Vaginal bleeding = post-coital, inter-menstrual, post-menopausal, heavy periods, irregular periods
Pain = pelvic, abdominal, painful sex, painful periods
Discharge = heavy, blood, offensive, itchy
Infertility = primary, secondary

2
Q

Cervical screening smear test

A

every 3 years from 35-49
every 5 years from 49-64
aims to detect early stages before it becomes invasive

3
Q

Human Papilloma virus

A

transmitted by sexual contact
risk increases with increased number of sexual partners
no symptoms
main cause of Cervical Intra-epithelial Neoplasia (CIN) and therefore cervical cancer
many different types - low risk = warts/verruca’s, high risk = cervical cancer
girls aged 12-13 offered HPV vaccine

4
Q

Cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN)

A

microscopic lesion that affects the cervix

could potentially develop into cancer if left untreated

5
Q

Cervical cancer

A

2nd most common female malignancy
risk factors: HPV, smoking, non attendance to SCP
symptoms: abnormal discharge and bleeding
on examination, cervix appears normal
> cervical carcinoma
- abnormal cells and invasion
- presents with inter-menstrual or post-coital bleeding
- treatment is either local excision or radical hysterectomy +/-chemo/radiotherapy

6
Q

Endocervial polyps

A

irregular vaginal bleeding

benign, removed by hysteroscopy

7
Q

Menorrhagia (uterus)

A

heavy periods - >80ml blood loss
causes: fibroids, endometriosis, polyps
treatment = mirena coil, Mefanamic and tranexamic acid, depo provera, endometrial ablation, hysterectomy, combined pill

8
Q

Fibroids (leiomyoma’s)

A

very common being tumour
arise from myometrium
presents with heavy periods, pelvic pain or distension

9
Q

End metritis and pelvic inflammatory disease

A

caused by infections, usually sexually transmitted
presents with abnormal discharge, pain or bleeding (can be asymptomatic)
major cause of infertility

10
Q

Endometriosis

A

endometrial tissue in the wrong location eg. outside the endometrium
very common benign condition
heavy/painful periods, pelvic pain, painful sex
treatment can be difficult = COCP, mirena coil, Zoladex, surgery

11
Q

Endometrial polyps

A

benign growths from the endometrial cavity

removed by hysteroscopy

12
Q

Endometrial cancer

A

cancer of the lining of the uterus
presents as post-menopausal bleeding = detected early
risk factors: nulliparity (woman who has never carried a pregnancy), high BMI, HRT, late menopause
diagnosed on biopsy - pipelle or hysteroscopy
usually undergo TAH and BSO = removal of entire uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and cervix
20 year survival rate is 80%
> endometrial carcinoma
- presents as post-menopausal bleeding = early detection
- risk factors: obesity and oestrogen exposure

13
Q

Ovarian cysts

A

Follicular cysts = benign, common, less than 6cm, asymptomatic, no treatment
Cystadenomas = large fluid filled cysts, symptoms can be affects of pressure
Benign mature teratomas = large cysts filled with a solid substance

14
Q

Polycystic ovarian syndrome

A

multiple cysts on ovaries
presents as irregular periods, infertility
treatment = COCP, Metformin, Clomifine
complications: increased CV risk, increased type 2 DM, increased problems in pregnancy

15
Q

Ovarian cancer

A

often asymptomatic if small tumour

usually presents late when already spread

16
Q

What is a miscarriage?

- risk factors

A

loss of pregnancy before 24 weeks (15% of all pregnancies, usually 1st trimester)
classification: threatened, inevitable, incomplete, missed
often no cause found
risk factors: old age, multiple pregnancies, smoking, alcohol, connective tissue disorder, diabetes
treatment = conservation, medical with Misoprostol, surgical with Vacuum suction under GA

17
Q

Ectopic pregnancy

A

extra uterine pregnancy usually occurring in the Fallopian tubes
can occur very early, before a period is missed
can be a gynaecological emergency!!! as pregnancy carries a high risk of mortality due to rupture
risk factors: fertility treatments, pelvic inflammatory disease, previous ectopic, smokers
indicators include raised beta HCG levels on blood testing
treatment always surgical