New guide on pancreatic cancer

A new guide on pancreatic cancer, co-authored by the chair of Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, offers a better understanding to patients and caregivers of the unique challenges associated with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Charles J.Yeo, M.D., Samuel D. Gross Professor and Chair of Surgery at Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, is co-author of Understanding Pancreatic Cancer: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers, published by the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

“Understanding Pancreatic Cancer is based on the premise that being knowledgeable about the challenges that a pancreatic cancer diagnosis poses will better equip patients to make informed decisions about all aspects of treatment and care,” said Dr. Yeo. “This guide provides accurate information about many aspects of pancreatic cancer, including symptoms, diagnosis, staging, treatment, clinical trials, supportive care, and research.”

The guide also focuses on supportive care issues such as pain management; care giving; coping; financial and legal matters and end-of life care.

The book also features an easy-to use glossary of medical terms and a list of resources and of centers designated by the National Cancer Institute as the best cancer Facilities, including the Kimmel Cancer Center at Jefferson.

Dr Yeo is editor-in-chief of the sixth edition of Shackelford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, considered to be an essential reference for general surgeons, surgical residents and gastroenterologists, with a special focus on alimentary tract diseases.

Dr. Yeo's primary interests and research focus on pancreatic cancer, hepatopancreatobiliary surgery and alimentary tract surgery. His work has focused on the evaluation and management of patients with unusual pancreatic disorders and with complex alimentary tract diseases and surgical intervention in patients with pancreatic cancer oracute or chronic pancreatitis.

Understanding Pancreatic Cancer: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers can be obtained by calling the Lustgarden Foundation at 1-866-789-1000 go to http://www.lustgarten.org to download the guide.