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 penile cancer do I have?

• What is the stage and grade of the cancer? What does this mean?

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

Questions to ask about choosing a treatment and managing side effects

• What treatment options do I have?

• What types of research are being done for penile cancer in clinical trials? Do clinical trials offer additional treatment options for me?

• What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?

• Do I need treatment right away?

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

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

• Could I benefit from a second opinion? Why or why not?

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

• Who will be leading my overall treatment?

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

• Will this treatment change how I urinate?

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

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

• Should I see a psychologist, counselor, or other professional to help me deal with any fears and body image concerns?

• 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?

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

Questions to ask about having surgery

• What type of surgery will I have? Will lymph nodes be removed?

• Will the lymph nodes in my groin be removed? On 1 side or both?

• What are the goals of surgery? How likely are they to be achieved?

• What are the potential harms of surgery? How likely are they to occur?

• What other treatment options are there?

• 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 effects of having this surgery?

• When should I call your office or go to an emergency room?

Questions to ask about having radiation therapy

• What type of radiation therapy is recommended?

• What are the goals of this treatment?

• How likely is this therapy to be successful in achieving those goals?

• What are the potential harms of this treatment and how likely are they?

• What other treatment options are there?

• How long will I need to have radiation therapy?

• How long will each radiation therapy session take? How often?

• What side effects can I expect during treatment?

• Who should I contact about any side effects I experience? 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?

• When should I call your office or go to an emergency room?

Questions to ask about having chemotherapy

• What type of cancer medication is recommended?

• What are the goals of this chemotherapy in my situation?

• How likely is this therapy to be successful in achieving those goals?

• What other treatment options are there?

• What are the potential harms of this treatment and how likely are they?

• 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?

• When should I call your office or go to an emergency room?

Questions to ask about planning follow-up care

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

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

• What follow-up tests will I need, and how often will those tests be needed?

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

• When should I return to my primary care doctor for regular medical care?

• 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 more resources on this website that may be helpful to you. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.