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:

During the initial evaluation/staging

• What are the results of the biopsy?
  
  
• Can you explain my pathology report to me?
  
  
• Have specialized tests been done by the pathologist to help find the primary site?
  
  
• What tests or scans are available to help identify a primary site?
  
  
• Is another biopsy necessary to provide the pathologist with an optimal specimen to examine?
  
  
• Should I get a second opinion?
  
  
• Who will be part of my health-care team, and what does each person do?

Before receiving treatment

• Does my cancer fit into any of CUP’s identified “subgroups”?
  
  
• What are the treatment options?
  
  
• What clinical trials are open to me?
  
  
• What treatment plan 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?
  
  
• What is my prognosis?
  
  
• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?
  
  
• What support services are available to me? To my family?