Gynecological Cancers

Ninja Nerds!

In this lecture, Professor Zach Murphy delivers a comprehensive and high-yield breakdown of the major gynecological cancers, including ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vaginal, and vulvar malignancies.

We begin with ovarian cancer, reviewing the major tumor types—epithelial, germ cell, and sex-cord stromal—and the classic tumor markers that help in diagnosis. Zach explains how patients often present late with bloating, early satiety, and pelvic pain, and we highlight complications such as ascites, pleural effusion, bowel obstruction, and ovarian torsion.

Next, we turn to endometrial cancer, focusing on the differences between estrogen-dependent Type I and estrogen-independent Type II disease. Risk factors like obesity, nulliparity, and tamoxifen use are reviewed, along with the hallmark symptom of abnormal uterine bleeding. Complications such as anemia and pyometra are also discussed.

The lecture continues with cervical cancer, where we outline how HPV infection disrupts tumor suppressor pathways, leading to neoplasia. We cover the diagnostic sequence from Pap smears and HPV testing to colposcopy and cone biopsy, as well as staging and management. Key complications like hydronephrosis and metastatic spread to the bladder, rectum, bone, and lungs are emphasized.

We then examine vaginal and vulvar cancers. Vaginal cancer, most often secondary to cervical spread, is contrasted with primary HPV-driven cases. For vulvar cancer, we explore its dual pathways: HPV-related disease in younger women and chronic inflammatory dermatoses, like lichen sclerosus, in older women. Persistent pruritus is emphasized as a classic early feature.

The session concludes by unifying the risk factors, hallmark clinical features, diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and preventive measures across all five cancers. Zach highlights the role of HPV vaccination, barrier protection, and routine screening in reducing the burden of gynecological cancers.

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Table of Contents:

0:00 Lab
1:00 Pathophysiology and Risk Factors of Ovarian Cancer
28:43 Classic Findings and Complications of Ovarian Cancer
44:20 Pathophysiology and Risk Factors of Endometrial Cancer
58:27 Classic Findings and Complications of Endometrial Cancer
1:05:53 Pathophysiology and Risk Factors of Cervical Cancer
1:19:44 Classic Findings and Complications of Cervical Cancer
1:28:54 Pathophysiology and Risk Factors of Vaginal and Vulvar Cancer
1:35:35 Diagnostic Approach to Ovarian Cancer
1:43:43 Diagnostic Approach to Endometrial Cancer
1:46:41 Diagnostic Approach to Cervical Cancer
1:59:13 Cervical Cancer Screening
2:03:54 Diagnostic Approach to Vulvar Cancer
2:04:47 Treatment Approach to Ovarian Cancer
2:09:09 Treatment Approach to Endometrial Cancer
2:12:58 Treatment Approach to Cervical Cancer
2:14:41 Treatment Approach to Vaginal Cancer
2:14:57 Treatment Approach to Vulvar Cancer
2:15:16 Treatment Approach to HPV Related Cancers
2:17:38 Comment, Like, SUBSCRIBE!

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