A 60-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Office with Persistent, Profuse

question 51

Multiple Choice

A 60-year-old woman comes to the office with persistent, profuse mucoid diarrhea.  Despite not eating much for the past 2 days, her diarrhea has not decreased, but she has no other symptoms.  The patient has not had age-appropriate colon cancer screening.  Family history is unremarkable.  She does not use tobacco, alcohol, or illicit drugs.  Vital signs and cardiopulmonary examination are normal.  The abdomen is soft and nondistended.  There is no hepatosplenomegaly.  Laboratory studies show hypokalemia and microcytic anemia.  Colonoscopy reveals a 2.5-cm, cauliflower-like mass in the sigmoid colon.  The mass is resected and the histopathology of the lesion is shown in the exhibit.  Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

• A)Carcinoid tumor
• B)Hamartomatous polyp
• C)Hyperplastic polyp
• D)Signet ring cell carcinoma
• E)Villous adenoma

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Definitions:

Overdiagnosis

The diagnosis of a disease or condition that is unlikely to cause harm or symptoms, often leading to unnecessary treatment.

Categorical Approach

A method of classification that involves organizing items, concepts, or phenomena into distinct groups or categories based on shared characteristics.

Psychological Disorders

Psychological disorders are patterns of behavioral, cognitive, or emotional symptoms that significantly impact multiple areas of life, often characterized by distress and impairment in functioning.

Maladaptive Behaviour

Actions or tendencies that are counterproductive to oneself or hinder personal adjustment and well-being.