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 is the carcinoid tumor located?
  
  
• What is the stage of my cancer? What does this mean?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
  
  
• Do I have carcinoid syndrome? What does this mean?
  
  
• Is my heart affected by the tumor? How will you monitor my heart’s performance?
  
  
• What are my treatment options?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• Can surgery be done to remove all of the tumor? If not, can surgery be done to debulk the tumor? What advantages will this produce?
  
  
• Which treatment plan 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?
  
  
• If I’m worried about managing the costs related to my cancer care, who can help me with these concerns?
  
  
• What new research is available for carcinoid tumors?
  
  
• What are the chances that the tumor will recur?
  
  
• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?
  
  
• What support services are available to me? To my family?