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 nasopharyngeal cancer do I have?
  
  
• What is the stage of the cancer? What does this mean?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report to me?
  
  
• What are the treatment options?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• What treatment option do you recommend?
  
  
• Should I get an additional consultation or second opinion?
  
  
• What can be done to relieve the possible side effects?
  
  
• If surgery is needed, will it be necessary to have 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?
  
  
• Can you recommend an oncologic dentist?
  
  
• Should I see a speech pathologist prior to treatment? Why or why not?
  
  
• What will my rehabilitation consist of?
  
  
• 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?
  
  
• When can I expect to recover from the treatment effects?
  
  
• What follow-up tests will be needed, and how often will I need them?
  
  
• Will there be any lasting or late side effects that will need special care?
  
  
• What support services are available to me? To my family?