| Foreword |
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| Introduction |
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| Part 1: The Basics |
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1 | (12) |
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Questions 1-10 cover the background topics in pancreatic cancer, including: |
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Where is the pancreas gland located? |
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What does the pancreas gland do? |
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Are there different types of pancreatic cancer? |
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| Part 2: Diagnosis and Staging |
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13 | (8) |
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Questions 11-15 cover the process of diagnosing and staging pancreatic cancer: |
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What are the symptoms of pancreatic cancer? |
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What is a pathology report, and what information should I learn from it? |
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What is cancer staging, and why is it important? |
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| Part 3: Treatment |
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21 | (40) |
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Questions 16-52 describe the various forms of treatment for pancreatic cancer: |
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What are the different types of treatment used to treat pancreatic cancer? |
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What is a "Whipple" operation? What are some of the expected side effects of surgery? |
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What is performance status and how does that influence my treatment choice? |
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Why is surgery an option for some people and not others with this cancer? |
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| Part 4: Managing Your Treatment |
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61 | (14) |
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Questions 53-59 discuss ways in which you can get the information that you need to make the right decisions: |
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How can I get a second opinion about my treatment? |
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How do I decide whether I should use one of the complementary or alternative |
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therapies that my family or friends are recommending? |
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So much information is available on the Internet. How do I evaluate this information to be sure that it is complete, accurate, and up-to-date? |
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| Part 5: Changes Cancer Brings |
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75 | (38) |
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Questions 60-77 describe some of the physical, emotional, and financial challenges that people with pancreatic cancer might face. This includes a section for family and friends of cancer patients: |
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I feel so overwhelmed by all of the information that I am getting. How do I make decisions about my treatment? |
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What can I do to prevent or relieve nausea and vomiting related to my chemotherapy or radiation therapy? |
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I was told that chemotherapy may cause a drop in my blood counts. What does this mean? |
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I have difficulty sleeping at night. What can I do to sleep better and feel more rested? |
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Will I have pain? What options are available for treating my pain? |
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I never feel hungry and am concerned about losing weight. What can I do to increase my appetite and maintain my weight? |
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| Part 6: Emotional and Social Concerns |
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113 | (42) |
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Questions 78-100 describe some common concerns of cancer patients and their loved ones: |
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How do I tell my family and friends that I have cancer of the pancreas? |
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Are there support groups where I can talk with other patients going through the same thing that I am? |
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Should I work during my treatment? |
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How do we manage the financial burdens that cancer places on our family? |
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What is the right thing to say? |
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I have completed treatment and my doctor tells me that there is currently no evidence of cancer. What comes next? |
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How does my doctor evaluate if my treatment is working? What if my treatment doesn't work? |
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Preparing for the End of Life |
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What is hospice? How can I find a hospice if I need one? |
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What are advance directives? How can I be sure my wishes are known? |
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| Appendix |
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155 | (12) |
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The appendix is a list of web sites, organizations, and literature to help pancreatic cancer patients and their families find additional resources on general and specific topics related to pancreatic cancer. |
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| Glossary |
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167 | (4) |
| Index |
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171 | |
