Fast Facts: Cholangiocarcinoma for Patients and their Supporters

Book excerpt: Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) is a cancer of the bile duct and liver. A person can seem healthy and/or can have a variety of symptoms, such as weight loss, bloating, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and/or eyes), itchy skin, dark urine and/or pale stools. The location of the tumor within the liver/bile duct and its size and spread to other areas of the body will determine the cancer treatment plan. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, liver transplant, targeted therapies and clinical trials. This book aims to help patients understand their options, enabling informed decisions, in conjunction with their doctor and other members of the medical team, about their cancer treatment. Table of Contents: • Understanding cholangiocarcinoma • How does cholangiocarcinoma develop? • Symptoms • Seeing your doctor • Diagnostic tests and procedures • Staging • Biomarker testing • Multidisciplinary teams and tumor boards • Surgery • Radiation therapy • Systemic therapy • Treatments and schedules • Infusion therapy • Clinical trials • What new treatments are being studied? • Targeted treatments • Taking part in research • Palliative procedures • Stents • Reducing side effects • Follow-up care • Outlook • If treatment is unsuccessful • Coping • Being supported • What can I do to help myself?