Questions to Ask the Doctor

Regular communication with your doctor is important in making informed decisions about your health care. Consider asking the following questions of your doctor:

• Where exactly is the tumor located?
  
  
• Can you describe the stage of the cancer? Is it possible to predict its future behavior?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report to me?
  
  
• What are my treatment options?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• Which treatment option do you recommend? Why?
  
  
• What are the possible side effects of this treatment, both in the short term and the long term?
  
  
• How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
  
  
• Will there be cosmetic changes to my appearance? How? For how long?
  
  
• Will there be permanent issues relating to saliva production or eating?
  
  
• Should I talk with an oncologic dentist before treatment begins?
  
  
• Should I meet with a speech therapist before treatment begins?
  
  
• How can I keep myself as healthy as possible during treatment?
  
  
• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?
  
  
• What support services are available to me? To my family?
  
  
• What are the chances this cancer will recur?
  
  
• What treatments are available if my cancer recurs?