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 is the exact type of head and neck cancer that I have?
  
  
• Where is the tumor located?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
  
  
• Is it important to determine if I have HPV? Why?
  
  
• What are the treatment options?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• What treatment do you recommend? Why?
  
  
• If surgery is needed, will it be necessary to have a reconstruction done to replace lost tissue (mandible)?
  
  
• If surgery is needed, will there be a need for a neck dissection (removing lymph nodes)? If so, what type of dissection will be done? What does this mean?
  
  
• Should I get an additional consultation or second opinion?
  
  
• 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?
  
  
• Can you recommend an oncologic dentist?
  
  
• Should I see a speech pathologist prior to 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?