Gavin,
Thank you as always in bringing important medical research to our community’s attention.
This abstract is yet another showing evidence that cholangiocarcinoma patients have better outcomes when treated at a major cancer center rather than a community health facility. It provides evidence that patients seen at major cancer hospitals have better surgical outcomes, for example.
When first diagnosed, it is important to ask whether the doctors diagnosing and treating you have recognized experience with this rare and complex cancer. You can ask how many cholangiocarcinoma patients they are treating, for example. If your doctors are saying, “Gee, I have only seen 2-3 of these cases in the last decade,” or as one of my doctors answered, “Well, you know, Mary, your cancer is really, really rare,” then it is important that you find an expert in cholangiocarcinoma to add to your medical team.
The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation has a new tool to help you look for expert doctors and facilities. Here is the link:
Specialist Map
Regards, Mary
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This reply was modified 5 years, 7 months ago by bglass.