Female reproductive pathology

Female reproductive pathology

Female reproductive pathology

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Cervix - HPV's Unwanted Hug

  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause.
    • High-risk: 16, 18 → squamous cell & adenocarcinoma.
    • Low-risk: 6, 11 → condyloma acuminatum.
  • Oncogenesis via viral proteins:
    • E6: degrades p53 (tumor suppressor).
    • E7: inhibits Rb (retinoblastoma protein).
  • Koilocytes: Pathognomonic sign of HPV; wrinkled nucleus with a perinuclear halo.

Koilocytic atypia in cervical cells

⭐ Most HPV infections are transient. Persistent infection with high-risk strains is required for malignant transformation.

Uterus - Womb for Improvement

  • Adenomyosis: Endometrial tissue within the myometrium. Presents with dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and a uniformly enlarged, boggy uterus.
  • Leiomyoma (Fibroid): Benign smooth muscle tumor. Often asymptomatic; can cause bleeding, pain. Estrogen-sensitive. Multiple, well-demarcated, whorled masses.

Endometrial Adenocarcinoma Histopathology

FeatureEndometrial HyperplasiaEndometrial Carcinoma
PathologyProliferation of glandsMalignant glandular proliferation
CauseUnopposed estrogenUnopposed estrogen, genetics
Key Gene-PTEN inactivation
ProgressionPrecursor to carcinomaInvades myometrium, metastasizes

📌 Endometrial Carcinoma Risk Factors: OLD AUNTObesity, Late menopause, Diabetes, Age, Unopposed estrogen, Nulliparity, Tamoxifen.

Ovary - Egg-citingly Bad Eggs

  • Surface Epithelial Tumors (most common)

    • Derived from coelomic epithelium; CA-125 marker.
    • Serous: Often bilateral. Psammoma bodies common in malignant types.
    • Mucinous: Can be very large. Risk of pseudomyxoma peritonei.
    • Endometrioid: Associated with endometriosis and endometrial carcinoma.
    • Brenner: Transitional cell (urothelial) type, usually benign.
  • Germ Cell Tumors (younger women < 25)

    • Teratoma: Most common germ cell tumor. Mature (“dermoid cyst”) is benign. Immature is malignant potential.
    • Dysgerminoma: Malignant; ↑ LDH. Radiosensitive.
    • Yolk Sac (Endodermal Sinus) Tumor: ↑ AFP. Schiller-Duval bodies (look like glomeruli).
    • Choriocarcinoma: ↑ hCG. Aggressive, early hematogenous spread.
  • Sex Cord-Stromal Tumors

    • Granulosa Cell Tumor: ↑ Estrogen (endometrial hyperplasia). Call-Exner bodies (rosettes).
    • Sertoli-Leydig Cell Tumor: Produces androgens (virilization).

Krukenberg Tumor: Bilateral ovarian metastasis, typically from gastric adenocarcinoma, characterized by signet-ring cells.

Schiller-Duval body in ovarian yolk sac tumor

Gestation & Placenta - Pregnancy's Plot Twists

  • Spontaneous Abortion (<20 wks): Usually due to chromosomal anomalies. Recurrent losses suggest maternal factors (e.g., antiphospholipid syndrome).
  • Ectopic Pregnancy: 90% in fallopian tube ampulla. Key risk is prior PID. Presents with pain & bleeding.
  • Placental Pathologies:
    • Previa: Implants over cervical os → painless bleeding.
    • Accreta/Increta/Percreta: Abnormal myometrial attachment → massive hemorrhage.
    • Abruption: Premature separation → painful bleeding.

⭐ Complete hydatidiform moles show a classic "snowstorm" or "bunch of grapes" pattern on ultrasound.

Ultrasound: Complete hydatidiform mole, snowstorm appearance

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • High-risk HPV (16, 18) is the main driver of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive carcinoma.
  • Endometriosis is defined by ectopic endometrial glands/stroma, leading to dysmenorrhea, pain, and infertility.
  • PCOS diagnosis requires 2 of 3: oligo/anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries.
  • Epithelial ovarian cancers often present late with vague abdominal symptoms and peritoneal spread.
  • Hydatidiform moles show edematous, avascular chorionic villi ("bunch of grapes").
  • PID is a critical risk factor for infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

Practice Questions: Female reproductive pathology

Test your understanding with these related questions

A 63-year-old woman, gravida 0, para 0 comes to the physician because of a 3-month history of abdominal distension, constipation, and weight loss. She has a history of endometriosis. Pelvic examination shows a nontender, irregular, left adnexal mass. Her serum level of CA-125 is elevated. Serum concentrations of human chorionic gonadotropin and alpha-fetoprotein are within the reference ranges. Microscopic examination of the mass is most likely to show which of the following findings?

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Flashcards: Female reproductive pathology

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The presence of endometrial tissue (endometriosis) in the uterine myometrium is known as _____

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

The presence of endometrial tissue (endometriosis) in the uterine myometrium is known as _____

adenomyosis

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