Adenocarcinoma | Nursing homework help
The patient presented symptoms of crampy left lower quadrant pain, constipation, and fevers to 101°F, which are commonly associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as diverticulitis. A patient with a long history of diverticulitis has been diagnosed multiple times over the course of 15 years. This patient has always had bowel symptoms that responded well to antibiotics or bowel relaxation, indicating a chronic persistent condition.
In addition to the patient’s history of IBD and sedentary lifestyle, his diet lacking in fiber and a family history of colon cancer also put him at risk for developing colon cancer. The patient’s paternal grandfather died of colon cancer in the 1950s, which suggests a genetic component to the development of the disease.
Several genes, such as APC, TP53 and KRAS, have been linked to colon cancer. These mutations can cause colon cancer by causing loss of tumor suppressor functions, an increase in cell proliferation and resistance to death. The patient’s positive pathology for adenocarcinoma of the colon suggests the presence of these genetic mutations.
Immunosuppression refers to the suppression of the body’s immune system, which can have a negative effect on various body systems. Immunosuppression is the inability of an individual’s body to fight disease and infections effectively. This increases their susceptibility and risk for cancer. This could be a contributing factor to the patient’s development of colon cancer, as individuals with IBD are known to have a heightened risk of immunosuppression due to the chronic inflammation associated with the condition.
In conclusion, the patient’s symptoms of crampy left lower quadrant pain, constipation, and fevers are commonly associated with IBD, such as diverticulitis. The patient’s history of IBD, sedentary lifestyle, diet lacking in fiber, family history of colon cancer, and positive pathology for adenocarcinoma of the colon suggest a genetic component to the development of the disease. Immunosuppression, which is commonly associated with IBD, could also have contributed to the patient’s development of colon cancer by suppressing the body’s immune system and increasing the patient’s susceptibility to infections and disease.