Reference no: EM133084867

A 40-year-old female is seen in the dermatologist's office, on the recommendation of her internist, for a workup for suspected MM on her left forearm. The suspicious lesion was a blackish skin growth approximately 1 cm in diameter. The dermatologist examined the patient, and a tissue biopsy was performed. The biopsy confirmed that the growth was MM. Surgery was performed to remove the tumor. In addition, a 5 cm by 5 cm square of skin immediately surrounding the tumor was also moved. Because the removed skin included all three layers of skin, a skin graft was necessary to cover the open area. The donor site was the patient's thigh. Following recovery from surgery, the patient was referred to an oncologist for follow-up care.

• What pathological condition does the internist think this patient may have? Look this condition up in a reference source and include a short description of it in your answer.
• What diagnostic test did the dermatologist perform? Describe it in your own words.
• Explain why a skin graft was necessary.
• Explain why it was necessary to remove so much additional skin tissue along with the tumor.
• What is the specialty of an oncologist?
• What do you think the possible follow-up care might include?