Leukemia - Chronic Myeloid - CML: Questions to Ask the Health Care Team

Approved by the Cancer.Net Editorial Board, 03/2018

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, or download Cancer.Net’s free mobile app for a digital list and other interactive tools to help manage your care.

Questions to ask after getting a diagnosis

  • What is my diagnosis?

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

  • What phase is the CML in?

  • Can you recommend a leukemia specialist?

Questions to ask about choosing a treatment and managing side effects

  • Where is the best place for me to receive treatment?

  • What are my options for treatment?

  • 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 are the pros and cons of each option?

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

  • Do I need to start treatment right away?

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

  • Who will be leading my overall treatment?

  • What kinds of symptoms should I call my health care team about?

  • What is my chance of remission and long-term benefit, including cure?

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

  • If I experience too many side effects, can I switch to a different treatment?

  • 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?

  • What type of costs are associated with each treatment option? If I am worried about managing the costs of care, who can help me?

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

  • Whom should I call with questions or problems?

  • How will the results of my treatment be monitored?

Questions to ask about having targeted therapy

  • What type of treatment is recommended?

  • What is the goal of this treatment?

  • How long will it take to give this treatment? When can you tell if it is working?

  • What side effects can I expect during treatment?

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

  • What can be done to relieve the side effects?

  • Will the medicine for CML interfere with any of my other medications?

  • Are there foods I should avoid while taking this TKI?

  • Can I stop TKI treatment to start a family? What if my partner and I conceive while I am taking a TKI?

  • What are the risks of trying to conceive a child while taking a TKI?

Questions to ask about having chemotherapy and/or a bone marrow/stem cell transplant

  • 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?

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

  • What can be done to relieve the side effects?

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

  • Will the medicine for CML interfere with any of my other medications?

  • Am I a candidate for an ALLO stem cell transplantation, and when should it be considered?

Questions to ask about planning follow-up care

  • What is the risk of the CML returning or worsening? Are there signs and symptoms I should watch for?

  • What is the chance that the leukemia will come back?

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

  • 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 beyond this guide that may be helpful to you. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.