The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Launches “Show Us Your Card” Educati

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Launches “Show Us Your Card” Education Campaign

In an effort to educate patients and physicians about a potentially fatal complication of cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer), the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, in collaboration with a Roswell Park Cancer Institute oncologist, has launched the “Show Us Your Card” campaign, and a new free product for patients – the Biliary Emergency Information Card.

Patients with cholangiocarcinoma are at increased risk for ascending cholangitis, which is a bacterial infection in the biliary system. This complication is more common in patients with bile duct drainage tubes or stents; however, cholangitis can occur in any patient with cholangiocarcinoma, and can be life threatening and should be treated as a medical emergency. Symptoms of cholangitis include: fever, shaking, chills, abdominal pain, jaundice, malaise, general weakness, right upper quadrant tenderness, hypotension or septic shock.

Renuka Iyer, M.D., a medical oncologist at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y., recognized the need to educate patients with cholangiocarcinoma about this urgent condition and its symptoms, and also to ensure that the patient’s health care professionals had accurate information to diagnose and treat this potentially fatal complication. Dr. Iyer met with Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation board members in February 2014 to collaborate on a solution to this problem. The Biliary Emergency Information Card is the result of this meeting.

Patients can quickly and easily complete a free, online form that populates the Biliary Emergency Information Card with patient information for their specific cholangiocarcinoma treatment and their health care providers’ contact information. The patients can print and fold the card so it is accessible at all times. Instructions on the card also include specific emergency treatment guidelines. Medical personnel can visit curecc.org/biliarycard or scan a QR code for additional instructions on symptoms, signs, labs, workup, treatment and follow-up for the patient.

“I am delighted the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation has made the Biliary Emergency Information Card a reality,” said Dr. Iyer. “In my practice, I have seen biliary cancer patients suffer from cholangitis and often wondered how to help them take an active role in their care. The Biliary Emergency Information Card does this and more by facilitating physician to physician communication to ensure patients get prompt and definitive medical treatment.”

About The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation

The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF) is a global non-profit organization committed to seeking a cause and cure for cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer) through research, education, collaboration, and advocacy. More information is available at http://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org.