1. Am I eligible?
You are eligible to attend the clinic if you have a foregut tumor, such as a tumor of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver or bile ducts.
2. How will I benefit by participating?
You will be seen by the National Cancer Institute experts in cancers of the foregut (upper gastrointestinal tract, including pancreas, liver and bile ducts). The team includes surgical oncologists (surgeons), medical oncologists, gastroenterologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and research support staff. We would like to stress that it is not our intention to take over your care from your primary physician. However, the number of experts from different fields who are thinking about the specifics of your medical history may allow us to make recommendations to your treating physician, with the goal of improving your health. Additionally, you will have the chance to interact with other patients and families.
3. Will this clinic benefit others?
The contribution that your visit to this clinic will make to the care of others cannot be emphasized enough. Our philosophy is that the opportunity to evaluate patients with foregut cancers will help the medical community understand the mechanisms that underlie these diseases. We will have the opportunity to compile details of your history, response to prior treatments, radiographic assessments and molecular studies. The data for a single patient may not provide much insight. However, when combined with that of all other patients, the information will generate many leads to help us better understand the genetic and clinical elements of foregut cancers.
4. What is the goal of the clinic?
The data that we obtain from these clinics will help us to design innovative treatment protocols. These protocols may have a biological component (to see which biochemical pathways are activated in the tumor), a molecular component (to determine which genes are disrupted), a radiographic component (to assess different imaging modalities) and a pharmacokinetic component (to see if drug levels in your body are appropriate). Your oncologist will remain in charge of your care. Our role will be to help provide any elements of your care that may not currently be available at your hospital.
5. How do I make an appointment?
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