Preface |
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1 | (10) |
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Questions 1-5 Cover Basic Information about biliary cancers, including |
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2 What is bile and what are bile ducts? |
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3 What does the gallbladder do? |
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4 Are there different types of biliary cancers? |
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5 What is Next Generation Sequencing (NGS)? |
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11 | (8) |
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Questions 6-11 Discusses risk factors for biliary cancers, including |
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6 How common is cholangiocarcinoma, and what are the risks for developing it? |
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7 Can cholangiocarcinoma occur along with liver cancer? |
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8 How common is extrahepatic bile duct cancer, and what are the risks of developing it? |
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9 How common is gallbladder cancer, and what are the risks of developing it? |
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10 Should I have genetic germline testing to assess my risk of developing biliary cancer? |
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11 Does my family need to be screened for biliary cancers? Should my family members have their gallbladders removed if I have gallbladder cancer? |
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Part Three Diagnosis and Staging |
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19 | (10) |
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Questions 12-20 Describes the diagnosis and staging of biliary cancers, including |
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12 What are the signs and symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma? |
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13 How is cholangiocarcinoma diagnosed? |
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14 What are the symptoms of extrahepatic bile duct cancer? |
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15 How is extrahepatic bile duct cancer diagnosed? |
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16 What are the symptoms of gallbladder cancer? |
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17 How is gallbladder cancer diagnosed? |
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18 What is a pathology report of a biopsy? |
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19 What is cancer staging, and why is it relevant? |
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20 How is staging performed? |
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Part Four Coping with the Diagnosis |
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29 | (10) |
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Questions 21-26 Discuss patients' support needs after a diagnosis of biliary cancers, including |
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21 How long do people with biliary cancer live? |
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22 What is supportive care? |
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23 Should a patient get a second opinion? |
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24 Many people are volunteering different opinions. How should I handle that? |
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25 How should I manage my emotions now that I have been diagnosed with biliary cancer? |
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26 What insurance and financial concerns does a patient need to address after a diagnosis of biliary cancer? |
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39 | (62) |
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Questions 27-75 Focus on treatments available for biliary cancers, including |
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27 Which treatment options are available for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma? |
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28 What treatment options are available for extrahepatic bile duct cancers? |
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29 Which treatment options are available for gallbladder cancer? |
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30 What determines whether cholangiocarcinoma can be removed? |
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31 What determines whether my bile duct cancer can be removed by surgery? |
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32 What factors determine whether gallbladder cancer can be removed or not? |
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33 What is multidisciplinary care? |
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34 What preparations are made before a surgery? |
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35 What happens during a surgery? |
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36 How extensive is the surgery? |
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37 What happens in the hospital after surgery? |
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38 What are the risks of surgery for biliary cancer? |
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39 What is included in the pathology report from my surgery? |
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40 Will I be cured after a surgery? |
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41 What are neoadjuvant, adjuvant, and peri-adjuvant therapies? |
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42 Should I receive adjuvant chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy after surgery to prevent a recurrence of the tumor? |
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43 If the tumor cannot be surgically removed now, can I have chemotherapy first and then undergo surgery? |
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44 What happens if my biliary cancer returns? |
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45 Can liver transplantation be performed for cholangiocarcinoma? |
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46 Where do new livers for liver transplants come from? |
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47 What are the complications of liver transplantation? |
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48 What is tumor ablation, and can it be used for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma? |
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49 What is hepatic artery embolization, and can it be used to treat cholangiocarcinoma? |
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50 What is radioembolization? |
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51 What are radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy, and can they be used for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma? |
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52 What is systemic therapy or chemotherapy? |
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53 Do I need to stay in the hospital to receive chemotherapy? |
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54 What are some of the general side effects of chemotherapy? |
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55 I am worried I may get nauseous or vomit. How are these symptoms prevented or treated? |
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56 The combination of gemcitabine plus cisplatin is a standard treatment for biliary cancers. How does this treatment plan work? |
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57 What is gemcitabine? And what are its side effects? |
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58 What is cisplatin? And what are its side effects? |
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59 How will I know that my treatment is working? |
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60 What kind of scan is best to assess a tumor response? |
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61 What are tumor markers? |
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62 If my cancer progresses on first-line therapy like gemcitabine and cisplatin, what should I do next? |
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63 What are FOLFOX and FOLFIRI therapies? And what are their side effects? |
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64 What are biological therapies? Are there any specific new biological drugs being tested for biliary cancers? |
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65 What are pemigatinib and infigratinib? And what are their side effects? |
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66 What about other targets and their therapies? |
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67 What is a clinical trial? |
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68 Where can I learn about clinical trials for biliary cancers, and how do I know which trial is best for me? |
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69 What is liver pump chemotherapy? |
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70 What is radiation therapy? |
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71 Can radiation be used for the treatment of biliary cancers? |
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72 Are there other uses for radiation? |
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73 What are complementary and alternative treatments? How do I decide whether I should use one of the complementary or alternative therapies that my family or friends are recommending? |
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74 What if my doctor recommends that no treatment should be performed? |
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75 How should I use the Internet to learn about my cancer? What about social media? |
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Part Six Cancer-Related Practical Issues |
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101 | (16) |
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Questions 76-83 Describe practical considerations for patients with biliary cancers, such as |
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76 I feel overwhelmed by all of the information that I am receiving. How do I make any decisions regarding my treatment? |
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77 Will changing my diet affect my cancer? |
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78 I am concerned I am losing weight. Can I do something about it? |
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79 I feel tired. What can I do to help with fatigue? |
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80 I am experiencing pain. How can I stop it? |
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81 How do I prevent or relieve nausea and/or vomiting? |
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82 I cannot sleep at night. What can I do to sleep better and feel more rested? |
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Part Seven Biliary Cancer-Specific Issues |
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117 | (8) |
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Question 84--89 Discuss issues specifically seen in biliary cancer, including |
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84 I have been told I have jaundice. Why are my eyes and/or skin yellow? |
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85 What is the difference between a stent and a drain? |
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86 How is a mechanical bile duct blockage fixed? |
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87 What are the risks associated with a biliary catheter and how do I care for it? |
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88 My abdomen and/or legs are swollen. What is edema? What is ascites? |
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89 How do you treat edema and ascites? What is a paracentesis? |
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Part Eight Family, Social, and End-of-Life Issues |
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125 | (12) |
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Questions 90-100 Explore key issues of managing family and social concerns, particularly end-of-life care, including |
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90 I feel depressed. How can I get help? |
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91 Can I work during treatment? |
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92 What if my doctors suggest stopping my current therapy? |
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93 What is palliative care? |
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95 What are advance directives? |
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96 What is a healthcare proxy? |
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97 How can we prepare to die? Where can we find hope? |
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98 Where can I find additional information? |
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99 Should I still seek treatment for my biliary cancer even during the current COVID-19 pandemic? |
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100 Are there foundations that help or support patients with biliary cancers? |
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Glossary |
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137 | (8) |
Resources |
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145 | (4) |
Index |
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149 | |