100 Questions & Answers About Biliary Cancer

by Ghassan K. Abou-Alfa, Eileen O'Reilly

Overview

100 Questions & Answers About Biliary Cancer provides authoritative and practical answers to the most common questions asked by patients and their loved ones. Providing both doctor and patient perspectives, this easy-to-read book is a comprehensive guide to the basics of biliary cancer, risk factors and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and life after diagnosis. Written by Dr. Ghassan Abou-Alfa, a board-certified medical oncologist who specializes in primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), pancreas, gallbladder, and bile duct tumors, 100 Questions & Answers About Biliary Cancer is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning what to expect after being diagnosed with biliary cancer.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781284025378
Publisher:	Jones & Bartlett Learning
Publication date:	11/19/2013
Series:	100 Questions & Answers about
Pages:	136
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Gastrointestinal Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Weill-Medical College, Cornell University, New York, New York

Division of GI Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Table of Contents

Introduction v

Part 1 The Basics 1

Questions 1-4 provide background detail on the biliary system and biliary cancers in order to understand them better, covering such topics as:

What is bile and what are bile ducts?

What does the gallbladder do?

What are biliary cancers?

Part 2 Risk Factors 7

Questions 5-11 detail the portability and risk factors involved in biliary cancers:

How common is cholangiocarcinoma and what are the risks for developing it?

How common is extrahepatic bile duct cancer and what are the risks for developing it?

How common is gallbladder cancer and what are the risks for developing it?

Part 3 Diagnosis and Staging 13

Questions 12-20 explain the symptoms and diagnosis of biliary cancers:

What are the signs and symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma?

How is cholangiocarcinoma diagnosed?

What are the symptoms of extrahepatic bile duct cancer?

Part 4 Coping with the Diagnosis 23

Questions 21-26 help to understand the emotions that can come with a diagnosis and how to cope with receiving one:

How long do people with biliary cancer live?

What is palliative care?

Should a patient get a second opinion?

Part 5 Treatment 33

Questions 27-75 go through some of the different treatment options available:

What treatment options are available for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma?

What determines whether a bile duct cancer can be removed?

What is multidisciplinary care?

Part 6 Cancer-Related Practical Issues 87

Questions 76-83 suggest ways of dealing with the day-to-day issues of cancer:

I feel overwhelmed by all of the information that I am receiving. How do I make any decisions regarding my treatment?

Will changing my diet affect my cancer?

I feel tired. What can I do to help with fatigue?

Part 7 Biliary Cancer-Specific Issues 103

Questions 84-89 discuss the other health issues that can arise with biliary cancers and how they can be treated:

I have been told I have jaundice. Why are my eyes and/or skin yellow?

How is a mechanical bile duct blockage fixed?

Part 8 Family, Social, and End-of-Life Issues 111

Questions 90-100 assist in handling the impact cancer can have on the patient and loved ones:

I feel depressed. How can I get help?

Can I work during treatment?

What if my doctors suggest stopping my current therapy?

Glossary 123

Index 131