Sarcomas, Soft Tissue: Questions to Ask the Health Care Team

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 06/2022

ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your doctor or other members of the health care team, to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Use the menu to see other pages.

Cancer.Net Mobile app question tracker

Talking often with the health care team is important to make informed decisions about your health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your cancer care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you. You may want to print this list and bring it to your next appointment, or download Cancer.Net’s free mobile app for a digital list and other interactive tools to manage your care. It may also be helpful to ask a family member or friend to come with you to appointments to help take notes.

Questions to ask after getting a diagnosis

  • What type of sarcoma do I have?

  • Has this diagnosis been reviewed by a pathologist who is experienced in the diagnosis and classification of sarcoma?

  • Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?

  • What stage and grade is the sarcoma? What does this mean?

  • What does my diagnosis mean?

  • Where is the tumor located?

  • Should I see a sarcoma specialist?

  • Was my case discussed in a tumor board or other multidisciplinary conference? What does this mean?

Questions to ask about choosing a treatment and managing side effects

  • What are my treatment options?

  • What clinical trials are available for me? Where are they located, and how do I find out more about them?

  • What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?

  • How much experience do you have treating this specific type of sarcoma?

  • What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better, or both?

  • Can the sarcoma be removed with only surgery?

  • What are the possible side effects of this treatment, both in the short term and the long term?

  • Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?

  • Who will be leading my overall treatment?

  • How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?

  • Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?

  • Could this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant or have children? If so, should I talk with a fertility specialist before cancer treatment begins?

  • If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?

  • How can I keep myself as healthy as possible during and after treatment?

  • What support services are available to me? To my family?

  • If I have questions or problems, who should I call?

Questions to ask about having surgery

  • Should I have a biopsy before surgery?

  • Does the stage of cancer affect the decision about surgery? How?

  • What will happen during this surgery?

  • How long will the operation take?

  • How long will I be in the hospital?

  • Will the surgery be performed as en-bloc resection? What does this mean?

  • How much experience does this surgeon have with sarcoma? How many sarcoma operations have they done in the past year?

  • What are the possible side effects of my surgery, both in the short term and long term?

  • Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

  • Do I need chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy before the surgery? After the surgery?

  • Can you describe what my recovery from surgery will be like?

  • Will I need rehabilitation after the surgery?

  • If surgery is on an arm or leg, what will my limb look like after surgery?

Questions to ask about having radiation therapy

  • What type of radiation therapy is recommended?

  • What is the goal of this treatment?

  • How experienced is the radiation oncologist with sarcoma? How many people with sarcoma have they treated in the past year?

  • How many treatments will I need, and how long will each one take?

  • What are the possible side effects, both in the short term and long term?

  • Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

  • What can be done to prevent or to treat the side effects?

Questions to ask about having systemic therapy using medication

  • What type of treatment is recommended?

  • What is the goal of this treatment?

  • How experienced is the medical oncologist with sarcoma? How many people with sarcoma have they treated in the past year?

  • Are other systemic therapies using medication available?

  • Should I consider a clinical trial?

  • How many treatments will I need? How long will each take?

  • Will I receive this treatment at a hospital or clinic? Or will I take it at home?

  • What side effects can I expect during treatment?

  • Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

  • What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this treatment?

  • What can be done to prevent or relieve side effects?

Questions to ask about planning follow-up care

  • What is the chance that the cancer will come back? Should I watch for specific signs or symptoms?

  • What long-term side effects or late effects are possible based on the cancer treatment I received?

  • What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will those tests be needed?

  • How do I get a treatment summary and survivorship care plan to keep in my personal records?

  • Who will be leading my follow-up care?

  • What survivorship support services are available to me? To my family?

The next section in this guide is Additional Resources. It offers more resources on this website that may be helpful to you. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.