Question

A 40-year-old female is seen in the dermatologist’s office, upon the recommendation of her internist, for a workup for suspected MM on her left forearm. The suspicious lesion was a blackish skin growth approximately 1 cm in diameter. The dermatologist examined the patient and a tissue biopsy was performed. The biopsy confirmed that the growth was MM. Surgery was performed to remove the tumor. In addition, a 5 cm by 5 cm square of skin immediately surrounding the tumor was also moved. Because the removed skin included all three layers of skin, a skin graft was necessary to cover the open area. The donor site was the patient’s thigh. Following recovery from surgery, the patient was referred to a cancer specialist for follow-up care.

1.What pathological condition does the internist think this patient may have? Look this condition up in a reference source and include a short description. SLE is autoimmune disease name another

2. List and define each of the patients presenting symptoms.

3. What diagnostic tests did the dermatologist perfom? Describe. Why were they important to help make the diagnosis

4. Each physician initiated a treatment. Desribe

5. What does the term "workup" mena?

Answer 1

malignant melanoma is highly metastatic skin cancer

Irreguler, circular,bordered lesion with hues of tan,black or blue

Has characteristic rapid infiltration in to tissue

Clinical finding includes

Changes in color,shape in preexisting lesion

Oozing,bleeding and crusting

Biopsy reveals the type of cancer

Therapeutic intervention includes

Mohs micrographic surgery

Chemo surgery use of zinc chloride to fix cells before they are dissected by layers

Cryo surgery

Radiation therapy

Laser light

Chemotherapy

Maintain therapeutic environment

Work up includes investigations ,diagnosis and treatment of disease