NUR 502 Module 1 Discussion Case study: J.C. is an 82-year-old white man whom a GI specialist evaluated due to abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, and occasional nausea. Please name the potential most common sites for metastasis on J.C. and why.

for NUR 502 Module 1 Discussion

Case study: J.C. is an 82-year-old white man whom a GI specialist evaluated due to abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, weight loss, weakness, and occasional nausea.

1. Please name the potential most common sites for metastasis on J.C. and why.

The liver is highly prone to metastasis, as observed in the case of Mr. J.C. He exhibited various symptoms related to multiple organs in his body. The patient experienced symptoms such as overall body weakness, reduced appetite, and frequent nausea, which indicated the presence of metastasis in J.C.’s peritoneum region. Furthermore, J.C. received a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, a malignancy that predominantly metastasizes to the liver due to its high perfusion. Since the liver and lungs are the primary destinations for substances transported throughout the body, they are also highly probable sites for metastasis because tumor cells are carried to other organs and tissues via the bloodstream (Mizrahi et al., 2020). Adrenal glands and bones may be affected. Mr. J.C.’s brain was affected, leading to symptoms such as nausea and overall physical weakness.   

1. What are tumor cell markers, and why are tumor cell markers ordered for a patient with pancreatic cancer?

Tumor cell markers are the components found within cancer cells. These molecules are naturally present in the body, but their levels increase during the onset of cancer. Furthermore, when non-cancerous cells offer information on specific cancer kinds and are curable with different medicines, organs react favorably to therapy. Cancer is characterized by abnormal cell growth, leading to an increase in the production of certain protein molecules. As a result, screening tests for pancreatic cancer often include the measurement of tumor cell markers in individuals suspected of having cancer. According to Yang et al. (2021), the markers are unique to organs, with CA-19-19 associated with pancreatic cancer. Typically, they are included in the primary diagnosis as readily identifiable symptoms characterize pancreatic cancer. Another factor favoring cell markers is their capacity to differentiate between non-cancerous pancreatic conditions and malignant tumor growth.