ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your doctor or another member of the health care team to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Use the menu to see other pages.
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 the initial evaluation
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Where exactly is the tumor?
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How large is the tumor?
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What are the results of the biopsy?
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Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
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Have specialized tests been done by the pathologist to help find the primary site?
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Would a molecular cancer classifier assay of my biopsy sample help predict a primary site?
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Would comprehensive molecular profiling help to identify potentially useful targeted therapy?
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Will I need to have another biopsy to provide the pathologist with the best possible specimen for examination?
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What tests or scans are available to help identify a primary site?
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Should I get a second opinion?
Questions to ask about choosing a treatment and managing side effects
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Have specialized, pathologic studies of my tumor predicted where my cancer started? If so, will my treatment follow the guidelines for the predicted cancer type?
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Can my tumor be treated with targeted therapy?
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What are all my treatment options?
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What clinical trials are available for me? Where are they located, and how do I find out more about them?
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What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?
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What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better, or both?
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What is my prognosis?
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Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?
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Who will be leading my overall treatment?
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What are the possible side effects of each treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
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How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, or perform my usual activities?
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Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?
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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?
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If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?
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What support services are available to me? To my family?
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If I have questions or problems, who should I call?
Questions to ask about specific treatments
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What type of treatment is recommended?
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What is the goal of this treatment?
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How long will it take to give this treatment?
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Will I receive this treatment at a hospital or clinic? Or will I take it at home?
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What side effects can I expect during treatment?
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Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?
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What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this treatment?
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What can be done to prevent or relieve the side effects?
Questions to ask about planning follow-up care
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What is the chance that the cancer will come back? Should I watch for specific signs or symptoms?
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What long-term side effects or late effects are possible based on the treatment I received?
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What follow-up tests will I need, and how often those tests be needed?
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How do I get a treatment summary and survivorship care plan to keep in my personal records?
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Who will be leading my follow-up care?
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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.