Informed Decisions : The Complete Book of Cancer Diagnosis, Treatment, and Recovery

by Eyre, Harmon J.; Lange, Dianne; Morris, Lois B.; Morris, Lois B.; American Cancer Society

• ISBN13: 9780944235270
• ISBN10: 0944235271
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-10-01
• Publisher: Amer Cancer Society

Summary

The American Cancer Society's Informed Decisions, 2nd Ed. is a virtual encyclopedia that offers the latest information on every aspect of cancer, from detection to recovery - and practically everything in between. Written in easy-to-understand language, Informed Decisions is designed to help cancer patients and their loved ones make the right decisions - informed decisions - that fit their particular needs and wishes. Features new chapters on specific cancer emergencies, understanding and coping with fatigue, and practical advice regarding insurance and other essential financial matters. Encyclopedic Overview of Specific Cancers is a completely revised and reorganized section that includes current incidence and survival rates, risk factors, and treatment options.

Author Biography

Harmon J. Eyre, M.D., is Chief Medical Officer of the American Cancer Society inAtlanta.

Dianne Partie Lange is a nurse and medical journalist and has served as an editor for Health, Self and Mirabella magazines.

Lois B. Morris is a NewYork-based author and journalist. She has written or coauthored seven books onhealth and behavior, and is a contributing writer to magazines More and Allure.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	x
Preface	xi
Introduction	xiii
PART I Is It Cancer?
Cancer Basics	3	(14)
Cancer Causes and Risks	17	(18)
Signs and Symptoms	35	(9)
Detecting Cancer Early	44	(32)
Diagnostic Tests	76	(21)
PART II When the Diagnosis Is Cancer
Cancer Care: A Team Approach	97	(25)
Getting a Second Opinion	122	(7)
Your Support Network	129	(16)
PART III Treatment Strategies
Principles of Treatment	145	(14)
Surgery	159	(12)
Radiation Therapy	171	(20)
Chemotherapy	191	(24)
Biological Therapies	215	(14)
Stem Cell Transplants	229	(18)
Combination Treatments	247	(9)
Investigational Treatments	256	(12)
Complementary and Alternative Therapies	268	(23)
PART IV Living with Cancer
Food and Nutrition	291	(16)
Physical Activity	307	(12)
Body Image and Self-Esteem	319	(14)
Sexuality	333	(24)
Managing Disabilities and Limitations	357	(19)
The Pain Challenge	376	(29)
Fatigue	405	(6)
Cancer Emergencies	411	(11)
Coping with Your Cancer	422	(16)
Coping with Stress, Fear, Anxiety and Depression	438	(23)
Issues for Families and Friends	461	(17)
The Financial Costs	478	(21)
PART V Advancing Illness
Metastasis and Recurrence	499	(8)
Care at the End of Life	507	(208)
PART VI Overview of Specific Cancers
How to Use This Overview	533	(2)
AIDS-Related Cancers	535	(6)
Kaposi's Sarcoma, Lymphomas, Precancerous Changes and Invasive Cervical Cancer, Anal Cancer
Blood and Lymph	541	(20)
Acute Leukemia, Chronic Leukemia, Hodgkin's Disease, Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma
Bone and Connective Tissue	561	(8)
Bone, Kaposi's Sarcoma
Breast	569	(7)
Central Nervous System	576	(6)
Brain and Spinal Cord
Childhood Cancers	582	(34)
Childhood Leukemia, Osteosarcoma, Ewing's Family of Tumors, Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Children, Neuroblastoma, Retinoblastoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilms' Tumor
Digestive Tract	616	(20)
Esophagus, Stomach, Colon and Rectum, Liver, Gallbladder
Endocrine	636	(9)
Thyroid, Pancreas
Eye	645	(4)
Female Reproductive Tract	649	(19)
Vagina, Vulva, Cervix, Uterus, Ovary
Head and Neck	668	(12)
Larynx, Oral Cavity, Salivary Gland
Lung	680	(5)
Male Reproductive Tract	685	(12)
Testes, Prostate, Penis
Skin	697	(8)
Melanoma, Nonmelanoma
Urinary Tract	705	(10)
Kidney, Bladder
Resources	715	(37)
Index	752	(16)
About the Authors	768