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.

What pathological condition does the internist think this patient may have? Look this condition up in a reference source and include a short description of it in your answer. ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

What diagnostic test did the dermatologist perform? Describe it in your own words.

___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________

Explain why a skin graft was necessary.

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Explain why it was necessary to remove so much additional skin tissue along with the tumor.

Answer 1

The internist thinks thetpatient has malignant melanoma, a condition in which the pigment cells of the skin called melanocytes becomes cancerous.

Thediagnostic test performed was the tissue biopsy.Tissue biopsy is a procedure in which a small portion of the tissue or cells is obtained through fine needle aspiration.The sample is then examined in the laboratory under microscope for any malignant or inflammatory changes.

The skin graft was put on the patients arm. The graft was essential because the skin is the first layer of defence against infection and you cannot afford to leave it open also all the three layers of the skin was removed and the size of the surgical wound extended to 5x5 making it quite a big wound.And also graft will help improve the appearance of the wound cosmetically.

Since the tissue biopsy test confirmed it to be malignant melanoma,it was essential to remove so much additional skin to prevent any residue from remaining there and again causing a repalse of the disease.