The Patient Navigator Journals: An Innovative and Systematic Response to Cholangiocarcinoma

Enhancing the Incumbent Standard of Care:

The Navigator Journals elevate the standard care model by integrating a ‘Patient-Integrated’ response process with the latest medical science breakthroughs. This dynamic, three-part strategy equips newly diagnosed patients with a vital roadmap for effectively tackling cholangiocarcinoma, transforming traditional care approaches into a comprehensive response process.

Systematic Approach to Empowerment:

These journals employ a methodical approach to equip and empower patients, significantly enhancing their ability to more effectively respond. By breaking down the cholangiocarcinoma challenge into manageable steps, the journals prioritise process over outcome, guiding and engaging patients through each step with clarity and focus.

Creating Order and Understanding:

The process detailed in the Navigator Journals establishes order by aligning perceptions with actions, replacing chaos and fear with calm, poise, and purpose. This strategic focus not only shifts attention away from the overwhelming challenges of cancer but also emphasises effective progress at each step. Following a structured process is soothing and reassuring, building understanding and increasing effective engagement, decisions, and action. Effective actions, ultimately improve the chances of successful outcomes.

Leveraging Today’s Medical Science for Today’s Survival:

While scientific and medical research tirelessly pursue tomorrow’s cure, our process offers a crucial response solution, ensuring that today’s patient knowledge and medical science directly benefit today’s patient toolkit and survival.

Cholangiocarcinoma also referred to as ‘CCA’ is a rare and aggressive cancer that begins in the lining of our bile ducts.

In Greek:’Chol’e’ means Bile and ‘angio’ means vessel or container. Bile ducts are thin slender tubes.

Cholangiocarcinoma: Cancer of the Bile Ducts

Cholangiocarcinoma is a type of cancer originating in the bile ducts, which are narrow tubes responsible for transporting bile from the liver to the small intestines. This cancer can develop from inflammation or injury to the delicate lining of the bile ducts, or when genes within our bile and liver cells are altered or damaged, disrupting normal function. Bile, crucial for digestion, aids in breaking down food before it enters the bowels.

Understanding the Biliary Tree

To understand how Cholangiocarcinoma affects the body, it’s essential to grasp the structure of the biliary tree. Picture the bile duct system as a healthy tree, with its roots deep within the liver, gathering bile. This vital fluid is then transported up the trunk—known as the common bile duct—to the canopy, our intestines, where it aids in the breakdown of our food. The Bile Duct tree has just one small branch, the cystic duct, which leads directly to the gallbladder, storing extra bile for when we consume fatty foods.

To fully visualize this and its importance, imagine flipping the tree upside down. In our bodies, the liver is tucked just under our right rib cage and above the stomach and intestines. A healthy bile duct tree is essential for our digestive system’s ability to process food effectively.

Important Locations in our Bile Duct Tree

It’s also important to note that the bile duct tree has three crucial locations:

It’s also important to note that the bile duct tree has three crucial locations:

• Intrahepatic Bile Ducts: These are the bile ducts within the liver, serving as the deepest roots of the tree where bile is collected right from the liver cells.
• Perihilar (Hilar) Bile Ducts: These ducts are located at the liver hilum, where the liver’s bile ducts exit the organ. They form a ‘Y’ shape just outside the liver, representing the point where the roots converge and extend outwards.
• Distal Bile Duct: This part of the bile duct system, also known as the common bile duct, extends beyond the liver and gallbladder. It serves as the main trunk of our metaphorical tree, running towards the intestines. Here, it merges with the pancreatic duct before entering the small intestine, playing a crucial role in the delivery of bile necessary for digestion.