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:

• Which type and subtype of lymphoma do I have?
  
  
• Did a pathologist experienced in the diagnosis of lymphoma review the biopsy?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
  
  
• How many patients do you see with this type of lymphoma each year?
  
  
• Where in my body has the disease spread?
  
  
• What stage is the lymphoma? What does this mean?
  
  
• What are the treatment options? What is the goal of each treatment?
  
  
• Will I need surgery?
  
  
• Will I need radiation therapy?
  
  
• Will I need chemotherapy?
  
  
• What is immunotherapy? Is this treatment appropriate for me?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• Why is it sometimes appropriate to “watch and wait?” Is this an option for me?
  
  
• 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 this affect my ability to have children?
  
  
• Is my lymphoma curable? If so, what are the chances for a cure?
  
  
• Should I get a second opinion? Will this include a specialized pathologist reviewing the biopsy?
  
  
• What caused my lymphoma?
  
  
• How can I stay as healthy as possible during and after 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?