painful periods (1. Primary – due to monthly release of prostaglandins from endometrium 2. Secondary - related to pelvic pathological conditions (e.g., endometriosis) and can occur anytime in cycle)
Lack of menstruation (1. Primary (no menarche) – caused by hypothalamic-pituitaryovarian axis disorder, for e.g. 2. Secondary (cessation of menses for at least 6 months after establishing normal menstrual cycle) – caused by ovarian, pituitary or hypothalamic dysfunction, anorexia nervosa, for e.g.)
Heavy or irregular bleeding in the absence of disease
presence of functioning endometrial tissue outside of the uterus (occurs primarily in the abdominal and pelvic cavities.)
not sure of cause (could be retrograde menstruation, remnants from embyonic development, or spread through lymph/blood)
blood goes different direction
Almost exclusively caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) (specifically, the “high-risk” types)
Risk factors are early intercourse/multiple sex partners, a history of STI’s, smoking, immunosuppression.
Slowly progressive disease – about 90% of cervical cancers can be detected early through the use of Pap smears and HPV testing
Describe endometrial cancer, including the primary risk factor and what age group is mainly affected
Most prevalent malignancy of female reproductive tract
Primary risk factor is unopposed estrogen exposure (as in anovulatory cycles or estrogen therapy for symptoms of menopause) resulting in hyperplasia.
Mostly occurs in post-menopausal women
length of time when the ovarian cycle is not suppressed by pregnancy (i.e., incidence is lower in countries with multiple births/woman)
What is one of the reasons why ovarian cancer causes more deaths than any other cancer of the reproductive system?
Early stages very difficult to detect (only 20% of ovarian cancers are found in the early stage)
secretion of breast milk in a nonlactating breast
inflammation of the breast, usually from infection occurring during lactation
Disorders of the milk ducts
benign epithelial tissue tumours that manifest with a bloody nipple discharge
A firm, rubbery, sharply defined mass, easily moveable – asymptomatic
Most frequent breast lesion, multiple, mobile, masses and compressible cysts that are more prominent and painful during luteal portion of the cycle - Occurs within both breasts at the same time
Most breast cancers arise from the epithelium of the ducts (79%), but can occur in the lobules or in the stroma (connective tissue between ducts).
The edges of the lesion can invade local tissue, which is then followed by malignant cells scattering into the lymph nodes. From there, the cancer can metastasize into other body sites, commonly the lung, liver and bone.
First sign is usually a painless lump, usually in upper outer quadrant, where most of the glandular tissue of the breast is located.
What are two mechanisms in which estrogen is thought to play a part in the development of breast cancer?
Estrogen is thought to either cause increased cell proliferation, which increases the possibility of accumulating genetic damage, or break down into toxic compounds that can directly damage DNA.
Early menarche + late menopause increases the risk
Giving birth at less than 18yrs decreases the risk; at more than 35 yrs increases the risk
(BRCA1 and BRCA2
the glandular structures and connective tissue between the glands are replaced with fatty tissue
The more involution has occurred, the lower the risk of cancer
The denser the tissue (thought to be both glandular and connective tissue between the glands, which appears white on a mammogram), the higher the risk. The more involuted the breast tissue (the fattier), the lower the risk.
group of abnormalities in which the testis fails to descend completely (may remain in abdomen, or only partially descend)
excess fluid builds up between tissue layers surrounding the testes. May be congenital, result of injury, infection
varicosities of veins supplying the testes, usually on the left side
when the testis rotates on its axis, interrupting its blood supply
congenital abnormalities of tunica vaginalis or spermatic cord exist that predispose
Causes ischemia
Age related, non-malignant enlargement of the prostate gland
: >50% men older than 60 have BPH
Normal enlargement that begins around 40-45 yrs of age and continues slowly for remainder of life
Result of a complex interaction between sex hormones, chronic inflammation and growth factors.
if the prostatic urethra is compressed, symptoms occur, including frequent urges to urinate, delay in starting urination and decreased force of flow
With further obstruction, the bladder can’t empty all of the urine, leading to uncontrolled overflow incontinence (involuntary release of urine from an overfull bladder) with any increase in intra-abdominal pressure.
There is increased risk for infection and bladder stones.
Back-pressure on the ureters and kidneys can promote hydroureter, hydronephrosis and eventual kidney failure
Other risk factors may include inflammation, hormones, genetic factors
diet has an influence on the development of prostate cancer
prostate specific antigen
a compound that is secreted by prostate cells (both benign and malignant) – can be used to screen for prostate cancer
What is the difference in location within the prostate gland between BPH and a tumour in prostate cancer?
Tumour usually located in periphery of prostate (not around the urethra, as in BPH)