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Cover image of Understanding Cancer
Cover image of Understanding Cancer
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Understanding Cancer

A Patient's Guide to Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Treatment

C. Norman Coleman, M.D.
forewords by Edward C. Halperin, M.D., Vice Dean of the School of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, and Ellen L. Stovall, Executive Director, National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

second edition
Publication Date
Binding Type

The greatest need of anyone with cancer is to understand the disease—its diagnosis, treatment options, and the often devastating experience of having cancer. In Understanding Cancer, Dr. C. Norman Coleman explains how to gather information about treatments and how to interpret that information to make decisions. He helps the person with cancer prepare for visits to doctors and the hospital and to make those visits as productive as possible. He distills the often complex medical terms and concepts underlying the statistics and percentages used to characterize medical conditions. With clear, in...

The greatest need of anyone with cancer is to understand the disease—its diagnosis, treatment options, and the often devastating experience of having cancer. In Understanding Cancer, Dr. C. Norman Coleman explains how to gather information about treatments and how to interpret that information to make decisions. He helps the person with cancer prepare for visits to doctors and the hospital and to make those visits as productive as possible. He distills the often complex medical terms and concepts underlying the statistics and percentages used to characterize medical conditions. With clear, in-depth discussions of pretreatment staging of disease, the biology of cancer, how successful treatment is defined, and how best to manage one's time, Understanding Cancer helps people with cancer and their families become active participants in the decision-making process.

In the second edition of this highly respected guide, Dr. Coleman describes new treatments that target specific types of cancer as well as treatments that are designed for a particular individual. He discusses the era of molecular medicine, including biomarkers, novel imaging, molecular signatures and profiling, and molecular-targeted therapy. Many of these therapies are currently only available through a clinical trial, so Dr. Coleman includes a detailed discussion of what is involved in participating in research trials.

Compassionate, accessible, and informative, Understanding Cancer will increase the reader's knowledge of medical concepts and terms so the person with cancer, the family, and the health care team can work together efficiently—and effectively.

Reviews

Reviews

Cancer patients who want to be fully informed participants in their own health care will find this a valuable handbook.

Well written and informative.

This well written, up-to-date book is concise and easy to read and understand. Written in everyday language without being overly simplistic, the book provides clear explanations, examples, and practical advice that can serve as a framework for treatment decisions... 3 stars

This book is of tremendous value to any cancer patient and their family. It provides the knowledge they need to take an active role in their treatment.

A unique book that discusses the clinical aspects of cancer in a nonclinical fashion.

About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
5.5
x
8.5
Pages
232
ISBN
9780801884184
Illustration Description
15 line drawings
Table of Contents

Foreword by Edward C. Halperin, M.D.
Foreword to the First Edition by Ellen L. Stovall
Preface
Introduction
1. Diagnosis and Treatment: What You Can Expect
2. Cancer: Where Does It Come From?
3. Diagnostic

Foreword by Edward C. Halperin, M.D.
Foreword to the First Edition by Ellen L. Stovall
Preface
Introduction
1. Diagnosis and Treatment: What You Can Expect
2. Cancer: Where Does It Come From?
3. Diagnostic Tests and Staging Studies: Gathering Information
4. Making Decisions about Treatment: How Success Is Measured
5. Weighing the Long-Term Risks and Benefits of Treatment
6. Conventional Treatments: An Overview
7. Molecular-Target Therapy
8. Clincial Research Trials: What They're All About
9. Clinical Case Studies: Four Patient Stories
Afterword
Appendixes
A. Cancer Molecular Biology
B. Analyzing Cost-Effectiveness
C. Performance Status Scoring Systems
D. Patient's Checklist
Bibligraphy
Index

Author Bios
Featured Contributor

C. Norman Coleman, M.D.

C. Norman Coleman, M.D., is associate director of the Radiation Oncology Sciences Program at the National Cancer Institute. He is a senior medical expert at the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and author of over two hundred scientific papers. Understanding Cancer is independent of his work at the National Cancer Institute.