Liver, biliary & pancreatic cancer
6 articles shown
When Flushing a Biliary Drain (PTBD) Hurts and the Belly Swells — Why the Tube Is Irrigated, and Telling Wait-and-Watch Signs From Report-Now Signs
An informational guide to why flushing a percutaneous biliary drain (PTBD) can cause pain or bloating, and how to tell self-limiting sensations from warning signs — such as fever or severe pain — that call for prompt medical attention.
One Pill After Surgery: A Guide to Capecitabine (Xeloda) as Adjuvant Chemo for Bile Duct and Gallbladder Cancer
A plain-language guide to oral adjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine (Xeloda) after gallbladder or bile duct cancer surgery — how it is taken, common side effects like hand-foot syndrome and mouth sores, and when to call the hospital.
Living With a Biliary Drainage Catheter (PTBD): Signs of Blockage, Infection, and When a Redo Is Needed
A patient-friendly guide to biliary drainage catheters (PTBD): why they are placed, how to care for them, the warning signs of blockage and cholangitis, and when a repeat procedure is needed.
When Gallbladder Cancer Is Found by Chance, How Do You Decide What Comes Next?
Gallbladder cancer found incidentally in pathology after gallstone surgery is often relatively early, but whether removing the gallbladder alone is enough or further surgery is needed depends on how deep through the gallbladder wall the cancer has invaded. Precise imaging such as CT and MRI and a re-review of the tissue slides from the first surgery are the heart of the next decision, and it is best to be re-evaluated at a large hospital with a hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery department.
When Your Eyes Suddenly Turn Yellow During Treatment — Reading the Signs of Jaundice and Knowing When to Call
Jaundice that appears during liver, bile duct, or pancreatic treatment can be a sign that bile flow is blocked. Watch the yellow tint in your eyes and skin, dark urine, pale clay-colored stools, and itching together. If fever, chills, severe belly pain, or trouble swallowing come on top of that, don't wait for your next appointment — call your care team right away. Jotting down when symptoms started and taking a photo of your eyes in natural light will make the conversation go faster.
After a Bile Duct Stent: What to Watch for Once You're Home
A down-to-earth guide to life after coming home with a bile duct stent. It covers how to spot blockage warning signs like jaundice and fever, how to handle fatty foods and alcohol, the difference in follow-up and replacement between plastic and metal stents, and how much of your normal routine you can simply pick back up.