Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Questions to Ask the Health Care Team

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 06/2022

ON THIS PAGE: You will find some questions to ask your doctor or other members of the health care team, to help you better understand your diagnosis, treatment plan, and overall care. Use the menu to see other pages.

Talking often with the health care team is important to make informed decisions about your health care. These suggested questions are a starting point to help you learn more about your cancer care and treatment. You are also encouraged to ask additional questions that are important to you. You may want to print this list and bring it to your next appointment. It may also be helpful to ask a family member or friend to come with you to appointments to help take notes.

Questions to ask after getting a diagnosis

  • What type of NPC do I have?

  • What is the stage of the NPC? What does this mean?

  • Can you explain my pathology report (laboratory test results) to me?

Questions to ask before cancer treatment

  • What are my treatment options?

  • What clinical trials are available for me? Where are they located, and how do I find out more about them?

  • What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?

  • What is the goal of each treatment? Is it to eliminate the cancer, help me feel better, or both?

  • Should I get an additional consultation or second opinion?

  • Who will be part of my health care team, and what does each member do?

  • Who will be leading my overall treatment?

  • Can you recommend an oncologic dentist before treatment begins?

  • Should I see a speech pathologist before starting treatment?

  • If I have questions or problems, who should I call?

Questions to ask about managing side effects

  • Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

  • What are the possible side effects of each treatment, both in the short term and the long term?

  • What can be done to prevent or manage these side effects?

  • Will any of my treatments affect my facial appearance? If so, how and for how long?

  • How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?

  • Could this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long?

  • Could this treatment affect my ability to become pregnant or have children? If so, should I talk with a fertility specialist before cancer treatment begins?

  • If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?

  • What support services are available to me? To my family?

Questions to ask about having radiation therapy or therapies using medication

  • What type of treatment is recommended?

  • What is the goal of this treatment?

  • How long will it take to give this treatment?

  • Will I receive this treatment at a hospital or clinic? Or will I take it at home?

  • What side effects can I expect during treatment?

  • Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

  • What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this treatment?

  • What can be done to prevent or relieve the side effects?

Questions to ask about having surgery

  • What type of surgery will I have?

  • Will lymph nodes be removed? If so, what type of dissection will be done? What does this mean?

  • Will it be necessary to have reconstruction done to replace lost tissue around the lower jaw bone?

  • How long will the operation take?

  • How long will I be in the hospital?

  • Can you describe what my recovery from surgery will be like?

  • Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? And how soon?

  • What are the possible long-term or late effects of having this surgery?

  • What can be done to prevent or relieve the side effects?

Questions to ask about planning follow-up care

  • What is the chance that the cancer will come back? Should I watch for specific signs and symptoms?

  • What long-term side effects or late effects are possible based on the cancer treatment I received?

  • When can I expect to recover from the treatment effects?

  • Will there be any lasting or late side effects that will need special care?

  • What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will I need them?

  • What type(s) of rehabilitation will I need after treatment has finished?

  • How do I get a treatment summary and survivorship care plan to keep in my personal records?

  • Who will be leading my follow-up care?

  • What survivorship support services are available to me? To my family?

The next section in this guide is Additional Resources. It offers some more resources on this website that may be helpful to you. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.