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Case study #3
Kevin worked for 10 years at a uranium mine, excavating uranium for a nearby nuclear power plant. Now, 25 years later, he has small cell lung cancer. Kevin is anorexic and has lost a considerable amount of weight. His muscles are wasting, and he is weak. He tries to move around the house throughout the day but tires easily. It has been difficult for him to access care, and the treatment for his cancer is just starting.
- With the ongoing exposure to the ionizing radiation, DNA damage occurred. Outline the three stages of carcinogenesis that occurred after his exposure to radiation.
- Kevin is normally a fit and active man, and his wife often commented on how much food he used to eat after a day at mine. Why would there be muscle wasting and weight loss now? Explain your answer using your knowledge of the metabolic changes seen with cancer.
- In some cancer patients, muscle weakness may result from the production of onconeural antigens. Describe the effects of these antigens. What form would this process likely take in Kevin’s situation?
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: This case study involves Kevin, who worked at a uranium mine and now has small cell lung cancer. The following are the answers to the questions provided in the content.
1. With the ongoing exposure to ionizing radiation, DNA damage occurred. Outline the three stages of carcinogenesis that occurred after his exposure to radiation.
After exposure to radiation, the three stages of carcinogenesis that occurred are initiation, promotion, and progression. Initiation is the initial damage to DNA caused by exposure to ionizing radiation. Promotion is the growth of mutated cells due to exposure to promoting agents. Progression is the transformation of abnormal cells to become malignant and form a tumor, which can metastasize and invade nearby tissues.
2. Kevin is normally a fit and active man, and his wife often commented on how much food he used to eat after a day at the mine. Why would there be muscle wasting and weight loss now? Explain your answer using your knowledge of the metabolic changes seen with cancer.
Muscle wasting and weight loss are common symptoms in cancer patients due to metabolic changes. Cancer cells require a lot of energy to grow, and they can alter the body’s metabolism to favor the breakdown of muscle and fat tissues. This process, known as cachexia, results in weight loss and muscle wasting as the body tries to maintain energy levels. Additionally, cancer can cause inflammation, leading to a decrease in appetite and a feeling of fullness, which can contribute to weight loss.
3. In some cancer patients, muscle weakness may result from the production of onconeural antigens. Describe the effects of these antigens. What form would this process likely take in Kevin’s situation?
Onconeural antigens are found in the nervous system and are typically produced in response to tumors. In some cancer patients, these antigens can cause an immune response that attacks the nervous system, resulting in muscle weakness, ataxia, and sensory disturbances. In Kevin’s case, it is unclear if the cancer has affected the nervous system, so onconeural antigens are not a likely cause of muscle weakness. However, cancer-induced cachexia and the associated metabolic changes are likely the primary cause of his muscle weakness and weight loss.
