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 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 brain tumor do I have?

• Where is the tumor located in my brain?

• Is the tumor cancerous?

• What is the tumor’s grade? What does this mean?

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

• Will an experienced neuropathologist review my pathology slides?

• Do you have reading material that would help me understand my disease?

• Who will be leading my overall treatment?

• Should I get a second opinion?

• Do you attend expert meetings to discuss complicated tumor cases?

• Are there brain tumor centers of excellence that you recommend I contact?

• Does your practice include multidisciplinary care? What does this mean?

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

• Do you know of a local support group for people with brain tumors?

Questions to ask about choosing a treatment plan and managing side effects

• What are my treatment options?

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

• How many brain tumors do you treat each year?

• What treatment plan do you recommend? Why?

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

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

• Would any of these treatment options keep me from participating in a clinical trial in the future?

• When should I start treatment?

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

• 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 treatment begins?

• What level of caregiving will I need during treatment and recovery?

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

Questions to ask about having surgery

• What type of surgery will I have?

• 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?

Questions to ask about having radiation therapy

• What type of treatment is recommended?

• What is the goal of this treatment?

• How long will it take to give this treatment?

• 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 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 planning follow-up care

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

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

• After treatment, 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.