Pathophysiology Australia Report 2022

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 1
Pathophysiology

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2
Pathophysiology
In reference to the case study of Mark, who is 58 years old, a nurse can use various
differential diagnoses to determine what Mark might be suffering from. One of the key
differential diagnoses that can be considered in determining the final diagnosis used in the
physical examination is the cell blood count which indicates the Mark had elevated red blood
cells and white blood cells. According to the case, the results indicate that Mark had abnormal
white blood cells and too many numerous red blood cells. Another crucial diagnosis is an
abdominal ultrasound test which indicates abnormal renal mass and lymphadenopathy. Also, the
physical examination shows that Mark’s abdomen is soft with a tender and palpable mass can be
seen in the left flack region. Furthermore, the CT scan indicates on the left kidney indicates the
signs of invasion into the surrounding tissue (Lam et al., 2015). According to these differential
diagnoses, one can suggest that Mark is suffering from renal cell carcinoma, which can be as a
result of the renal tubular epithelium (Pirson, 2015).
Some of the risk factors for RCC include smoking or acquired cystic disease of the kidney
(Schlageter et al., 2014). This can be supported as in the case Mark was a reformed heavy
smoker and had a history of post-infection glomerulonephritis. Another risk factor that might
have exposed Mark to renal cell carcinoma disease is his obesity which as he has a BMI of 28
when calculated. These scenarios might be the main causes of Mark’s RCC.
The pathophysiology of RCC involves genetic and immune related process. The two genes
that is involved in pathophysiology of RCC include protein polybromo-1 gene and Von Hippel –
Lindau gene (Pirson, 2015). The alteration of pVHL gene inhibits hydroxylation of HIFA–HIFB
complex which moves to the nucleus to act as a transcription factor leading into increased levels
of mRNA levels coding for extracellular matrix proteins, VEGF, PDGFB, TGFA, erythropoietin