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:

General questions

• Am I a carrier of hepatitis B or C? What does this mean?
  
  
• Do I have cirrhosis of the liver? What does this mean?
  
  
• What is my diagnosis? What is the exact type of liver cancer?
  
  
• What is the stage of my cancer? What does this mean?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report to me?
  
  
• What are my treatment options?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• What treatment do you recommend? Why?
  
  
• What is the goal of this treatment?
  
  
• 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?
  
  
• Do I need treatment right away?

For patients who need surgery

• Will my liver be removed?
  
  
• Will I need a liver transplantation?
  
  
• If I need a liver transplant, am I likely to be prioritized on the transplant waiting list because I have cancer? How long should I expect to wait?
  
  
• What are the possible side effects of my surgery, in the short term and the long term?
  
  
• Will I need to stay in the hospital for this surgery? If so, for how long?

For patients who need chemotherapy/targeted therapy/immunotherapy

• What type of therapy will I be receiving?
  
  
• How will it be delivered (through an IV, a catheter, or a pill)?
  
  
• What does the preparation for this treatment involve?
  
  
• What side effects can I expect from this treatment?
  
  
• What can be done to relieve the side effects?

For patients who need radiation therapy

• What type of radiation therapy is recommended?
  
  
• What is the goal of the radiation therapy?
  
  
• How long will it take to give the radiation therapy?
  
  
• What side effects can I expect from this treatment?
  
  
• What can be done to relieve the side effects?

After treatment

• What are the chances that the tumor will return?
  
  
• What follow-up tests do I need, and how often do I need them?
  
  
• What support services are available to me? To my family?