Altered Cellular Function

Case: muscle atrophy in a patient with stroke A stroke at 70 years old resulted in partial right-side paralysis for a woman. She observed progressive weakness and reduction in size of her right arm and leg during the months following her stroke. Muscle wasting was clearly visible in the forearm and bicep regions of her right upper extremity during examination. The affected muscles demonstrated both reduced strength and tone when compared to the muscles on her unaffected side. Case: Muscle Hypertrophy in a Bodybuilder For several years this 28-year-old male bodybuilder has performed intensive strength training by concentrating on weightlifting and resistance exercises. His workout routine includes multiple exercises for various muscle groups but primarily features heavy squats along with deadlifts and bench presses. Case: A Patient Exhibiting Barrett’s Esophagus Secondary to Chronic Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) A 55-year-old man has been suffering from persistent acid reflux along with chronic heartburn for a significant duration. The patient endures regular bouts of regurgitation paired with chest discomfort following his meals. His medical condition worsened significantly during recent years which led him to consult a physician. Case: A patient diagnosed with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection develops cervical dysplasia. A 30-year-old woman attends her regular Pap smear appointment to screen for cervical cancer. Although she shows no symptoms she has multiple sexual partners and was recently diagnosed with HPV infection Case: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) The primary care physician sees a 68-year-old male patient who experiences frequent nighttime urination and reports problems initiating urination along with a weak stream. He has observed a progressive increase in the severity of these symptoms throughout the last year. Case: A patient experiences apoptosis due to chemotherapy treatment. The breast cancer treatment of a 40-year-old woman includes chemotherapy. The chemotherapy treatment includes doxorubicin which functions by triggering programmed cell death in cancer cells. Case: Myocardial Infarction (Heart attack) A 60 year old man with a medical history of hypertension, diabetes and tobacco use arrives at the emergency department experiencing intense chest pain, difficulty breathing, and excessive sweating. An electrocardiogram (ecg) indicates ST- segment elevation, while lab tests demonstrate increased troponin levels, which are indicative of damage to the heart muscle. Cancer is a multifaceted illness marked by the unregulated proliferation and dissemination of atypical cells. It originates from alternations in the genetic material of healthy cells, which interfere with the process that regulates cell division, differentiation, and survival. 5 clinical manifestations of cancers include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, pain and discoloration of the skin. Stage I: localized cancer At this stage, the cancer is small and confined to the organ where it began. There is no indication of metastasis to nearby lymph nodes or other distant areas of the body. This stage is typically regarded as early stage cancer, which often has a favorable prognosis for successful treatment through surgical intervention or other localized therapies. Stage II: Early locally advanced cancer In this stage, the tumor may be larger or may have spread to adjacent lymph nodes or tissues, but it has not yet metastasized to distant organs. Cancer classified as stage II may necessitate a combination of surgical procedures, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Stage III: locally advanced cancer At this point, the cancer has spread more significantly to nearby lymph nodes or tissues, yet it has not reached distant organs. Stage III cancers are generally more challenging to treat and may require more intensive therapies, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgical options. Stage IV: metastatic cancer In this advanced stage, the cancer has disseminated to distant organs or tissues, such as the liver, lungs, bones, or other areas of the body. Stage IV cancer is typically classified as advanced or metastatic, with treatment primarily aimed at managing the disease, relieving symptoms, and enhancing the quality of life. However, certain cancers may still be amenable to systemic treatments such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapy. Grade 1: (well-differentiated) Description: Grade 1 cancer cells are well differentiated, indicating that they closely resemble the normal, healthy cells of the tissue from which they derive. Grade 11: (moderately differentiated) Description: Grade 11 cancer cells are moderately differentiated, signifying that they exhibit some abnormal features while still retaining certain characteristics of normal tissue Grade 111: (Poorly differentiated) Description: Grade 111 cancer cells are poorly differentiated, meaning they appear significantly different from normal cells and have lost many characteristics of the original cell Surgery entails the excision of tumors of malignant tissue from the body. It is one of the most ancient and effective methods of treating various cancer types, particularly when the cancer is confined to a specific area and has not disseminated significantly Chemotherapy employs medication that specifically targets and destroys rapidly proliferating cells, which is a characteristic feature of cancer. These medications can be administered orally, intravenously (through a vein), or directly into the body (for instance, into the spinal fluid). Chemotherapy is effective against cancer cells throughout the body, making it especially beneficial for cancers that have metastasized Radiation therapy utilizes high energy radiation, such as X-rays or protons, to eliminate cancer cells or reduce tumor size. The treatment can be applied externally (from outside the body) or internally (using radioactive materials placed near the tumor). It functions by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, thereby inhibiting their growth and division