100 Questions & Answers About Your Child's Cancer

by Carroll, William L.; Reisman, Jessica

• ISBN13: 9780763731403
• ISBN10: 0763731404
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-10-19
• Publisher: Jones & Bartlett Learning

Summary

100 Questions & Answers About Your Child’s Cancer gives you authoritative, practical answers to your questions about childhood cancer, treatment options, post-treatment quality of life, coping strategies -- for both patient and caregiver, sources of support, and much more. This book is an invaluable resource for understanding and coping with the medical, psychological, emotional and financial aspects of a child sick with cancer.

Author Biography

William L. Carroll, MD, he is Professor of Pediatrics at New York University and Mount Sinai Schools of Medicine and leads the program in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology on both campuses Jessica Reisman, CSW, is the Senior Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Social Worker at New York University Medical Center/Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Preface	ix
Part 1. The Basics	1	(32)
Questions 1--7 provide information about childhood cancer with such topics as
What is cancer?
What causes cancer?
What is a tumor?
Special Feature: Common Cancers of Children
Part 2. Diagnosis	33	(20)
Questions 8--24 address the ways in which childhood cancers are identified and classified
Our child is suspected of having cancer. What do we do next, and what can we anticipate?
What is a biopsy?
Part 3. Treatment Options	53	(34)
Questions 25--45 explain how childhood malignancies are treated
What is my child's prognosis?
How quickly do I need to make a decision about treatment options?
Will surgery help my child?
Part 4. Side Effects and Complications of Treatment	87	(24)
Questions 46--66 address the physical, emotional, and behavioral dimensions of treatment side effects
Are new medicines available that don't have the same side effects typically associated with conventional treatment?
What can I do to prevent side effects of treatment?
What are blood transfusions, and what are the signs that my child may need one?
Will my child be in pain?
Part 5: Treatment Facilities and Healthcare Providers	111	(12)
Questions 67--76 offer advice on finding the right facility and health care providers for your child
What should I look for in an oncologist/clinic?
Who should I expect to encounter during my child's course of treatment?
What and who is ``child life'' and how can it help?
What if my child needs medical assistance at home?
Part 6: Living and Coping with Cancer	123	(32)
Questions 77--100 discuss the interpersonal changes cancer brings, including how to communicate with your child, family and friends; the social and emotional impact of cancer on a teenager, and coping emotionally and financially as a parent
How do I explain the diagnosis to my child?
What can I do to help my teenager cope with her diagnosis?
How do I explain this diagnosis to my (other) children, and how can I help them cope?
How can I help myself cope through this difficult time?
Appendix	155	(10)
A list of Web sites, organizations, and literature to help pediatric cancer patients and their families find additional information on general and specific topics related to childhood cancer
Glossary	165	(10)
Index	175