Gallbladder Cancer Care
Gallbladder cancer is characterized by malignant growth of abnormal cells in the gallbladder tissues. This cancer is relatively uncommon but is severe. Difficulty in diagnosis is one of the basic criticalities of this cancer type.
Location of the gallbladder that is beneath the liver above the upper right abdomen is the reason that any tumorous growth cannot be spotted at an early stage of the cancer. Gallbladder cancer care is a care inclusive of the medical support to the patient and the family care from the family and friends. Also, the patient himself/herself needs to follow a self care regime.
A self care regime may include various factors such as proper follow ups after the treatment, intake of adequate and nutrient-rich diet so that it compliments the overall health of the patient. Medical social workers, counselors and support group people may involve in extending care to the patients suffering from gallbladder cancer. Although, care may not be sufficient to improve the life-span of the patient but will certainly help in reducing the physical and mental suffering of the patient while on the journey towards the end.
Supportive Care of Gallbladder Cancer
Supportive care is directed at the symptoms of the disease rather than the disease itself. Every cancer treatment has certain unwelcoming effects. These adverse effects may be taken care of by a supportive care and it also aims at relieving the symptoms of the disease.
Supportive care is a type of complementary care for the disease. It may involve nutrition therapies to make sure the patient has an adequate diet intake with appropriate nutrition that helps maintain the well-being and fight any adverse immune response.
A patient, who is suffering from a blockage in the stomach, the supportive care comes in existence to resolve the problem. As a solution, placement of a tiny feeding tube through a small intestine is certainly beneficial.
Also, there are supportive treatments to relieve the pain which is indispensable with the disease. Pain may be relieved via certain nerve blocking measures.
Other supportive care and treatments may be directed to relieve gallbladder cancer symptoms such as obstructive jaundice, sleeping disturbances, abdominal fluids and appetite loss. For people who have severe appetite loss may be given a nutrition therapy with supportive appetite stimulating drugs.
For such people, small meals after frequent intervals are beneficial to maintain the overall health and respond well to the standard treatments being administered.
Self Care of Gallbladder Cancer
While every individual family member and friends of the patient may be involved in extending care and support to him/her, it is equally important that the patient himself is caring for his disease and trying to combat it on individual level as a complimentary support to the primary treatment.
Patient should follow a proper diet with nutrition-rich food to stay healthy and fight the adverse effects of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. While undergoing the treatment and even after that a patient should pursue healthy life-style and give up any habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol and chewing tobacco.
Follow Up Care
This care is required after patient has received the primary treatment. Doctors may schedule individualistic follow-up schedules for the patients and such follow-up visits are important to observe the patient his/her responsiveness to the treatment and any symptoms shown up after the treatment.
Regular visits will confirm whether ay sign or symptom of cancer is remaining in the patient. During this time, patients may clarify the answers to their concerns. Even imaging studies will be done to see the cancer growth recurring if any.
Palliative Care and Its Importance
Gallbladder cancer comes under fatal diseases and is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, thereby making any curative treatment difficult. Patients undergo severe mental distress to learn that they have a devastating disease.
Although, surgical intervention becomes difficult at a metastasized stage of cancer, but still supportive treatments with chemotherapy and radiation therapy are helpful to improve the quality of life and the survival chances for the patient.
Complementary treatment will help maintain the overall well-being and health of the patient, but palliative care is directed to make the end journey of the patient as comfortable as possible.
Palliative care is important for the families of the patients as it helps them to cope up from their stress and grief. Patients who are non-responsive to any treatment, supportive or primary are eligible for palliative or after care.
Even though the cancer of the patient cannot be cured, palliative care aims at providing emotional and spiritual support to gallbladder cancer patient and his/her family members. The primary aim remains to relieve the symptoms and not to cure the disease.
Gallbladder cancer is uncommon in the United States and accounts for around 9500 cases a year and results in around 3500 deaths every year. Gallbladder cancer care is a means to provide optimum support to the patient in various aspects such as spiritual support, symptoms relieving supportive treatments and after care for preparing for the end result.
Palliative care and supportive care are primarily directed to relieve symptoms of the disease and strengthen the patient and provide support to the family to cope up with the situation.