Medulloblastoma - Childhood

Talking often with the doctor is important to make informed decisions about your child's health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your child's care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you.

• What type of tumor has been diagnosed?
• Is the tumor cancerous?
• What is the exact location?
• What is the stage (or risk group) of the tumor? What does this mean?
• Can you explain my child's pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
• What is your familiarity with my child's tumor type and its treatment?
• What treatment options are available to my child?
• What clinical trials are open to my child?
• What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?
• What are the goals of each treatment?
• Who will be part of my child's health care team, and what does each member do?
• Who will be coordinating my child's overall treatment and follow-up care?
• What are the possible side effects of each treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
• How will this treatment affect my child's daily life? Will he or she be able to go to school and perform his or her usual activities?
• Could this treatment affect my child's ability to become pregnant or have children in the future? If so, should I talk with a fertility specialist before treatment begins?
• If I'm worried about managing the costs related to my child's medical care, who can help me with these concerns?
• What follow-up tests will my child need, and how often will he or she need them?
• What support services are available to me? To my family?
• Whom do I call for questions or problems?