Skin Cancer Case Study Case Study

Skin Cancer

Describe the pathophysiology of the general process of abnormal cellular growth as it relates to all types of cancer.

Normal cells become cancer cells because of DNA damage. In cancer cells, damaged cells are not repaired and they do not die; instead, the cells reproduce damaged cells. These cells grow out of control and invade other tissues (American Cancer Society, 2013).

Compare and contrast the pathophysiology of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma.

Basal cell carcinomas develop in the basal cell layer of the skin, usually due to sun light exposure causing DNA damage in the form of thymine dimers. Squamous cell carcinoma develops from the epidermal ketarinocytes, generally from sun exposure although other carcinogens can cause this cancer on skin that does not get sun exposure. Malignant melanoma arises from melanocytes and can occur spontaneously or from preexisting lesions and are linked to sun exposure.

Explain the concept of tumor angiogenesis factor as it related to the possibility of tumors at multiple sites.Tumor angiogenesis factor is a protein that stimulates the formation of blood vessels in tumors, sending signals to host tissue that encourage the growth of new blood vessels. Because these blood vessels connect the tumor to the blood supply, they make it possible for the cancer to metastasize, and, thus, occur in

4. Melanie is diagnosed with malignant melanoma. The physician excised the affected area as well as a malignant lymph node. He states "I know we have it all." What concept may disprove this statement?

The cancer already metastasized to at least one lymph node, which would generally mean that all of the lymph nodes in that lymphatic basin should be removed.

5. Another oncologist is consulted after Melanie has an additional recurrence of malignant melanoma. After studying her case, the oncologist recommends treatment focused on proper cell clock performance. Explain the concept of "loss of cell clock" and the impact on Melanie's condition.

Cell clock refers to how stem cells spend their time in….....