Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is increasing each year ( Cancer Research UK, 2013 ). The incidence of BCC is higher among males, white populations and the older age groups ( Zak-Prelich et al, 2004 ). Anatomically, the head and neck are the most commonly affected sites, attributing to 80% of all reported areas of the body ( Wong et al, 2003 ). According to the British Dermatological Association (BAD) current guidelines ( Telfer, 2008 ), such BCCs are categorised as ‘high risk’ due to their locality and their potential for recurrence. The BAD guidelines propose that the majority of high-risk lesions be treated surgically or by radiotherapy. The eyelids represent a particularly susceptible region for eyelid tumours, and approximately 90% of all eyelid cancers are BCCs ( Baxter et al, 2012 ). Presentation may be diverse; however, it is generally accepted that most BCCs are slow growing, locally invasive, and rarely metastasise, but some variants may be more aggressive. As a form of intervention to remove lesions, surgically there are various options available, namely Mohs micrographic surgery, excision under frozen section control, Slow Mohs and excision with delayed reconstruction. The reconstruction method used by the oculoplastic surgeon will depend on the position and extent of the excised area. This article describes the various treatment options for BCC in more detail, and relates treatment choice to appropriate patient-centred care.
Thyroid eye disease(TED) or Graves’ orbitopathy(GO) is a physically and socially disabling disease, often of long duration. It can occur alongside thyroid dysfunction, classically presenting with thyrotoxicosis, diffuse goitre and exophthalmos, but in some instances can precede a diagnosis of thyroid disease. It may even occur years after a thyroid problem has been stablized. Symptoms during the active, inflammatory phase include mild to severe eye discomfort, visual disturbance, swelling and retraction of eyelids, proptosis and potentially, visual loss, although this is rare. The natural history of TED tends towards an eventual burn-out of the active disease. However, during the course of the condition patients may face a multitude of procedures and can be left with permanent changes to their appearance with the associated frustration and distress this can cause. This paper will provide a brief outline of the disease process, its clinical and psychological manifestations and some of the present thinking associated with its treatment. It will also describe some of the nursing interventions to support and care for patients within an interdisciplinary team setting.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.