Primary Diagnosis
Malignant melanoma of skin (C43)
Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer people could suffer from (Flaherty, Hodi, & Fisher, 2012, p. 349). It could appear on different parts of the body that are usually exposed to the sun (Stanganelli, 2013, p. 351). Recent research proves that red-haired people are at high risk of having melanomas because the skin of such people lacks natural protection against ultraviolet radiation (Printz, 2013, p. 1118; Rodwell, 2012, p. 795). Elderly adults are also a group of people, who are at a high risk of having melanomas or other types of cancer because their immune system is weak and cannot resist all-natural dangers (Chang, Wang, Kisner, & Federman, 2012, p. 600).
The rationale for such a primary diagnosis can be explained using the fact obtained from the assessment done. A patient is a 58-year-old man with red hair, who prefers to work without shirts on the roof to promote his personal comfort. Besides, he does not use sun-protective creams or sprays, and his skin is tanned. There is also another lesion on his shoulder with a black-to-purple color. Such signs could prove that the patient has skin cancer on different parts of his body because of his careless attitude to his skin.
Treatment Plan
Diagnostics
A biopsy is one of the frequently used methods to check the nature of moles on a human body and make a further decision in regards to the patient’s treatment (Change et al., 2012, p. 603).
Medication
Melanoma is usually treated with the help of special therapies such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgeries with the help of which the lesion could be removed. Still, the following drug could be offered to the patient:
Rx: Opdivo, 3mg/kg, Sig.: a 60-minute infusion once every two weeks. Disp # 30. Refill: not required (Scott, 2015, p. 1413).
Conservative Measures
Surgeries are usually the best and most effective answers to the patients, who have melanoma. A doctor removes it and prescribes the required portion of therapies that could help to stabilize the organism (Change et al., 2012, p. 603). Besides, it is required to ask the patient’s family to decrease his presence under the sun.
Education
One of the most important issues for consideration is the promotion of sun-protective behaviors (Guy et al., 2015, p. 591). The patient should learn how to protect his body from the sun regarding a number of risks of having other cases of melanoma or other types of skin cancer. It is also important to understand that his smoking history is another risk factor for cancer. It is better to quit smoking and choose a healthy diet with the help of which he could improve his immune system.
Referrals
An oncologist is a person whom Jimmy should address as soon as a biopsy proves the case of skin cancer. The help of a dermatologist could also be appropriate with time to get the required portion of the information on how to protect his skin.
Follow-Ups
In case a surgery occurs, the patient should address a doctor in two weeks and check his condition. If no surgery is required, the next visit to a doctor should be in one month to check the nature of the mole, its size, and its effects on a human body.
References
Chang, C.R., Wang, S., Kisner, R., & Federman, D.G. (2012). Elderly adults and skin disorders. Southern Medical Journal, 105(11), 600-606.
Flaherty, K. T., Hodi, F. S., & Fisher, D. E. (2012). From genes to drugs: Targeted strategies for melanoma. Nature Reviews Cancer, 12(5), 349-361.
Guy Jr, G. P., Thomas, C. C., Thompson, T., Watson, M., Massetti, G. M., & Richardson, L. C. (2015). Vital signs: Melanoma incidence and mortality trends and projections—United States, 1982–2030. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 64(21), 591-596.
Printz, C. (2013). New research on melanoma risk in red‐haired people. Cancer, 119(6), 1118.
Rodwell, C. (2012). Melanoma: Seeing red. Nature Reviews Cancer, 12(12), 795.
Scott, L.J. (2015). Nivolumab: A review in advanced melanoma. Drugs, 75, 1413-1424.
Stanganelli, I., Gandini, S., Magi, S., Mazzoni, L., Medri, M., Agnoletti, V.,… & Falcini, F. (2013). Sunbed use among subjects at high risk of melanoma: An Italian survey after the ban. British Journal of Dermatology, 169(2), 351-357.