1.A Rare Case of Scrotal Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Presence of Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the External Auditory Meatus and its Management Strategy
Tan Gh ; Elsa Jr ; Fam Xi ; Shukor Na ; Goh Eh ; Praveen S ; Ho Cck ; Zulkifli Mz
Medicine and Health 2017;12(1):113-117
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the scrotum is uncommon and its pathogenesis is
not well understood. The clinical behaviour of scrotal BCC is thought to be more
aggressive and has a higher metastatic potential than BCC of other regions. The
mainstay of treatment for localized scrotal BCC is wide local excision, while
metastatic disease may need systemic chemotherapy for palliative control. A rare
clinical scenario of scrotal BCC presenting concurrently with another metastatic
cancer has never been reported. The present case illustrates the diagnostic challenge
and management dilemma due to simultaneous presentation of scrotal BCC and
metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A 70-year-old man complained of a
non-healing scrotal ulcer while he was being investigated for metastatic squamous
cell carcinoma (SCC) of the external auditory meatus. The scrotal lesion was
initially thought to be metastatic SCC. It was later confirmed to be BCC with
biopsy and histopathological examination. He underwent surgical resection of the
scrotal BCC for local control followed by palliative chemotherapy with cisplatin
and radiotherapy for lymph node metastases. He remained well and did not have
any local recurrence following 6 months after palliative treatment. Surgery coupled
with palliative chemoradiation can offer good quality of life for patients with scrotal
BCC and concurrent metastatic SCC.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell
;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
2.Clinical Decision Making Ability of Nursing Students in a Tertiary Hospital
Ho SE ; Koo YL ; Ismail S ; Hing HL, Widad O ; Chung Ht ; Nabishah M ; Lliu CY ; HO CCK
Medicine and Health 2013;8(2):73-80
Decision making in nursing is one of the most important skills nurses must apply and utilize in their nursing practice. The aim of this study was to determine the perception of clinical decision making ability among nursing students. A descriptive crosssectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. A total of 54 nursing students were recruited using a modified version of Clinical Decision Making in Nursing Scale (CDMNS) adapted from Jenkins (1985). The findings showed good CDMNS score with mean and standard deviation of (124.24±12.713). The four sub-scales of CDMNS were: searching for alternative (33.24±4.821), canvassing (28.74±3.514), evaluation and re-evaluation (31.43±3.922), searching for information(30.83±4.765). Nineteen (35%) of the participants chose nursing as their first choice, whereas 35 participants (65%) did not. Thirthy seven (69%) participants were satisfied with their nursing competency, 17 (31%) were unsatisfied. There were significant differences between searching for alternatives, evaluation and re-evaluation, and nursing as their first choice (p=<0.05). There were also significant differences between searching for alternatives and satisfaction with nursing competency (p=<0.05). There was significant difference between education level and searching for alternatives and
information (p=<0.05). The nursing students possessed adequate clinical decision making ability. Although most of the nursing students did not choose nursing as their first choice, they sought for alternatives and evaluated-reevaluated during their decision making process. Nursing students’ satisfaction also contributed to appropriate clinical decision making in the critical care setting.