Diana Figueroa Thomas University Health Assessment Post

Post 1diana Figueroast Thomas Universityhealth Assessment Promoti

Understanding the pathogenesis of diseases plays an important role in clinical interventions. Knowledge of the causes, symptoms, and the complexities of disease conditions inform diagnosis, treatment and management of chronic conditions that impact individual and population health. This paper discusses two parts: the patient case on psoriasis and the nature and comparison of other selected conditions. The knowledge of disease pathogenesis influences diagnosis, treatment and management of serious disease conditions that impact health and wellbeing.

Part 1: Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the skin. Knowledge of pathogenesis of the disease has contributed to understanding of skin biology and clinical interventions. Research indicates that psoriasis is a hereditary disease that has origins in genetics and autoimmune pathogenic predispositions (Rendon and Knut, 2019). Psoriasis vulgaris accounts for 90% of all psoriasis cases and covers a large area of the skin. The majority of people with psoriasis have hereditary predispositions of the skin disease.

In the case of KM, the cause of her psoriasis is genetics. The fact that her mother has psoriasis explains her dermatologic manifestations of the chronic skin disease. Hence, the underlying cause of psoriasis is genetics and autoimmune traits such as allergies that affect the skin. Dermatologic manifestations of psoriasis appear as a plague on extended parts of the skin. While there are varied clinical classifications of the skin disease, 90% of cases appear as a scaly plague that can affect any part of the skin.

Chronic psoriasis covers limbs, extensor surface of the skin, and scalp. The major signs and symptoms of psoriasis are scaly plaques that are destructive on the skin and cause chronic inflammation and irritation. The plagues may become hemorrhagic and cause skin discoloration, psoriatic nail, and psoriatic arthritis. Patients commonly show generalized or localized red patches or scaly skin manifestations that often progress to extended skin area and dermal appendages like nails, toes, fingers, palms, and feet (Rendon and Knut, 2019). Based on the clinical manifestations, the severity of psoriasis may differ across patients, from acute to chronic psoriasis.

Part 2: Define, Compare and Contrast Medical Conditions

Fibrocystic breast disease refers to the benign form of breast disease common in women across the world. The disease is common among women of reproductive age and is linked to reproductive hormones. Fibrocystic breast is characterized by non-malignant tumors, trauma, nipple discharge, or mastalgia and is often painful (Malherbe, Khan, and Fatima, 2021). Lifestyle changes, medications, supportive bra, and hormone replacement therapy are common treatments of the symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease. Similarly, fibroadenoma refers to benign breast tumors that affect 25% of women aged 15-35 years.

Unlike fibrocystic breast tumors that have epithelia-related calcifications, fibroadenoma has popcorn-like calcifications. Fibroadenoma tumors may comprise masses with calcifications or not (Stachs, 2022). On the contrary, malignant breast tumors are cancerous breast tumors that cause breast cancer. These tumors are highly invasive and difficult to treat once the cells spread to the breast stoma and other breast tissues (American Cancer Society, 2022). Unlike fibrocystic breast disease, malignant breast tumors are cancerous and are the leading cause of breast cancer.

Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the pathogenesis of diseases such as psoriasis, fibrocystic breast disease, and malignant breast tumors is vital for effective diagnosis, management, and treatment. This essay explores the causative mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and interrelations of these conditions, emphasizing the importance of disease mechanisms in clinical practice.

Psoriasis and Its Pathogenesis

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory skin disorder characterized by rapid proliferation of keratinocytes, leading to thickened, scaly plaques on the skin. The pathogenesis involves a complex interaction between genetic susceptibility and immune dysregulation. Genetic predisposition plays a significant role; studies have identified multiple susceptibility loci, such as PSORS1 on chromosome 6p21, which influence immune responses and skin barrier integrity (Rendon & Knut, 2019). The autoimmune component involves T cell activation, cytokine release (notably IL-17, IL-23, and TNF-alpha), leading to sustained inflammation and abnormal keratinocyte growth (Lowes et al., 2014). Environmental triggers like infections, trauma, stress, and medications can exacerbate the condition by stimulating immune responses further.

Genetic and Autoimmune Factors

In the case of patient KM, her hereditary predisposition, evidenced by her mother's history, aligns with the genetic factors identified in psoriasis. The autoimmune process is initiated when environmental or intrinsic triggers activate T cells and cytokine networks, disrupting skin homeostasis (Rendon & Knut, 2019). This abnormal immune response results in the characteristic plaque formation, with clinical signs such as scales, erythema, and joint involvement in psoriatic arthritis.

Comparison with Other Clinical Conditions

Fibrocystic breast disease and fibroadenoma are benign breast conditions with distinct etiologies and manifestations (Malherbe et al., 2021; Stachs, 2022). Fibrocystic disease results from hormonal fluctuations affecting ductal and stromal tissues, presenting as tender, lumpy breasts, especially premenstrually. It does not predispose to malignancy. Conversely, fibroadenomas are benign tumors caused by hormonal sensitivities, forming painless, mobile lumps, often during adolescence or early adulthood. Malignant breast tumors, however, involve uncontrolled cellular growth and invasion. They originate in ductal or lobular tissues and pose a significant risk of metastasis, differing fundamentally in pathogenesis from the benign conditions.

Comparative Pathogenesis

While psoriasis originates from immune-mediated inflammation largely driven by genetic predispositions and environmental triggers, fibrocystic breast disease results from hormonal fluctuations influencing ductal and stromal tissue growth. Fibroadenomas also arise from hormonal sensitivities but involve localized tumor formation rather than systemic immune responses. Malignant tumors develop through genetic mutations leading to invasive cellular proliferation, with a cascade involving oncogene activation and tumor suppressor gene loss, markedly different from immune or hormonal etiologies of benign conditions.

Implications for Clinical Practice

Understanding these pathogenesis pathways allows clinicians to tailor treatment strategies effectively. For psoriasis, immunosuppressants and biologics targeting cytokines are central. For fibrocystic breast disease and fibroadenomas, hormonal regulation and surgical options may be employed. Recognizing malignancy indicators leads to early interventions in breast cancer cases, highlighting the importance of in-depth pathophysiological knowledge.

In conclusion, the diverse mechanisms underpinning psoriasis, benign breast conditions, and malignancies exemplify the need for disease-specific understanding to optimize diagnosis, treatment, and management. The integration of genetic, immune, and hormonal insights continues to enhance personalized medicine approaches, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

References

  • American Cancer Society. (2022). Types of Breast Cancer. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.org
  • Lowes, M. A., Suárez-Fariñas, M., & Krueger, J. G. (2014). Immunology of psoriasis. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 134(4), 889–898.
  • Malherbe, K., Khan, M., & Fatima, S. (2021). Fibrocystic Breast Disease. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
  • Rendon, A., & Knut, S. (2019). Psoriasis Pathogenesis and Treatment. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(6), 1475.
  • Stachs, A., Stubert, J., Reimer, T., & Hartmann, S. (2022). Benign Breast Disease in Women. Deutsches Ärzteblatt International, 116.
  • Lowes, M. A., Suárez-Fariñas, M., & Krueger, J. G. (2014). Immunology of psoriasis. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 134(4), 889–898.
  • American Cancer Society. (2022). Types of Breast Cancer. https://www.cancer.org
  • Malherbe, K., Khan, M., & Fatima, S. (2021). Fibrocystic Breast Disease. StatPearls Publishing.
  • Stachs, A., Stubert, J., Reimer, T., & Hartmann, S. (2022). Benign Breast Disease in Women. Deutsches Ärzteblatt, 116.
  • Lowes, M. A., Suárez-Fariñas, M., & Krueger, J. G. (2014). Immunology of psoriasis. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 134(4), 889–898.

Related Assignments