Progression of Malignant Melanoma and Effects of Aspiring Vomitus
Week 3: Discussion: Skin and Respiratory System Disorders
11 unread reply.11 reply.
The initial post must include responses to all the questions in this discussion.
Mr. J, age 42, is a construction worker in Las Vegas who lives with his daughter and grandson, Sammy. He recently noticed that a mole on his face seemed to be getting larger and darker. At first, he did not worry because he was in the sun a lot and assumed the change may have been caused by sunburn. After a month, not only was the mole larger and darker, but it appeared to be “bumpy.” His doctor diagnosed a malignant melanoma skin cancer following biopsy of the nevus. Mr. J reports pain in his right shin that does not go away when he puts his feet up or sleeps
Discussion Questions
Relate Mr. J’s skin changes to the warning signs for malignant melanoma.
Discuss the normal progression of this malignancy. What is the significance of the bone pain that Mr. J is experiencing?
Discuss the treatment available for this patient and the prognosis for recovery.
Discussion Questions
Mr. J is babysitting his grandson Sammy, age 3 years, who ate his dinner and then said his tummy hurt. Mr. J suggested he lie down in the adjacent room while his parents finished dinner. A few minutes later, Mr. J heard Sammy vomiting. He rushed in to lift Sammy up. When vomiting ceased, he noticed Sammy continued to cough and seemed to be choking. He was struggling to breathe, and a wheezing sound was obvious. It appeared that he had aspirated some vomitus. Mr. J drove him to a nearby hospital for examination.
Discuss the specific effects of aspirating vomitus on Sammy, including the probable effects on his bronchi and lungs. Why might one lung be affected more than the other?
Discuss the pathophysiologic changes causing the signs and symptoms and any tests required to clarify the effects on Sammy.
Suggest some reasons for Sammy’s difficulty breathing and wheezing.
Discuss the potential complications of aspiration of vomitus.
Skin and Respiratory System Disorders
Student’s Name
University Affiliation
Professor’s Name
Course Title
Due Date
Explain Mr. J’s Skin Changes Concerning the Warning Signs for Malignant Melanoma
Indicators of melanoma include new or usual growth, irregularly shaped moles, and changes in color and size of the tumor. Mr. J had signs resembling melanoma, including a bumpy mole on his face, which kept on growing bigger and getting darker.
Discuss the Progression of the Malignancy
Melanoma stage 0 (melanoma in situ) indicates that cancer cells are confined within the epidermis and have not moved to other body parts. In stage 1, the cancer is still within the skin and less than 2 mm thick. This stage is divided into 1A or 1B, depending on the thickness of the cancer. Stage 2 means the tumor is more than 1 mm thick but has not spread to surrounding lymph nodes or distant body parts. Stage 3 represents melanoma that has spread through the lymphatic system. This phase comprises A, B, C, and D, according to the number and size of lymph nodes affected and the presence of satellite or in-transit lesions. Stage 4 describes melanoma that has metastasized to other body parts (Carr, Smith, & Wernberg, 2020). The bone pain he was experiencing is a sign of metastasis of cancer.
Treatment and Prognosis
Mr. J should undergo surgery to remove the tum...