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:

• What type of bone cancer do I have?

• What stage is the bone cancer? What does that mean?

• Where exactly is the cancer located?

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

• What are my treatment options?

• What clinical trials are open to me?

• Which treatment option do you recommend? Why?

• What is the expected timeline for my treatment plan?

• 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?

• If I’m worried about managing the costs related to my cancer care, who can help me with these concerns?

• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?

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