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 testicular cancer do I have?
  
  
• Are other tests or surgery needed to confirm this diagnosis?
  
  
• What stage is my cancer? What does this mean?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?
  
  
• What treatment options do I have?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• What treatment plan do you recommend for me?
  
  
• Is this the standard treatment?
  
  
• How often do you treat men with testicular cancer?
  
  
• How experienced is the surgeon in orchiectomy and/or RPLNDs?
  
  
• 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?
  
  
• Will this treatment affect my sex life?
  
  
• What are the chances that I will become infertile after treatment? Should I bank sperm? Should I talk with a fertility specialist before treatment begins?
  
  
• How can I keep myself as healthy as possible during and after treatment?
  
  
• What are the chances that the cancer will recur?
  
  
• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?
  
  
• What support services are available to me?