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| Foreword | |
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| Preface | |
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| The Basics | |
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| Questions 1-16 provide fundamental information about esophageal cancer, including: | |
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| What is the esophagus? | |
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| What is cancer of the esophagus? | |
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| What causes esophageal cancer? | |
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| Risk and Prevention | |
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| Questions 7-18 discuss strategies for assessing risk and preventing esophageal cancer, such as: | |
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| What are the risk factors for esophageal cancer? | |
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| Is esophageal cancer hereditary? | |
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| What are the warning signs of esophageal cancer? | |
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| Will taking heartburn medications help prevent esophageal cancer? | |
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| Diagnosis and Staging | |
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| Questions 19-25 describe the methods by which esophageal cancer is diagnosed and staged, including: | |
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| How is esophageal cancer diagnosed? | |
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| What tests are performed to aid in the diagnosis? | |
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| What does my doctor mean by "stage of disease," and why is staging important? | |
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| Coping with the Diagnosis | |
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| Questions 26-40 discuss ways to handle post-diagnosis tasks and emotions for patients and caregivers, such as: | |
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| I've been diagnosed with esophageal cancer. What should I do now? | |
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| How do I select a surgeon or medical oncologist? | |
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| Should I get a second opinion? | |
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| Treatment Options | |
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| Questions 41-80 describe options for treatment, including: | |
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| What things should I consider when making treatment choices? | |
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| Will I have pain? What are my options to treat it if I do? | |
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| What are the latest development in esophageal cancer treatment? How do I find out about them? | |
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| Living with Esophageal Cancer | |
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| Questions 81-95 present methods of coping with some of the day-to-day problems associated with esophageal cancer treatment, such as: | |
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| I don't seem to have much of an appetite after treatment. How can I improve my appetite and nutrition during and after treatment? | |
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| Will I be able to work during and after treatment? | |
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| How do I get my life back to normal? | |
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| How can I cope psychologically with cancer? I feel depressed. Is this common? | |
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| If Treatment Fails: Advocacy and Support | |
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| Questions 96-100 address recurrence and spread of cancer, and where to find more information: | |
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| Where does esophageal cancer usually spread? What are the symptoms that indicate my cancer has spread? | |
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| What happens if the cancer comes back? | |
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| My treatment doesn't seem to be working. What should I do to prepare myself and my family for the future? | |
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| Appendix | |
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| Glossary | |
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| Index | |