Question To Ask Your Doctor
Questions to ask after getting a diagnosis
-
What type of brain tumor do I have?
-
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 and managing side effects
-
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?
-
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?
-
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?
-
What are the possible side effects of each 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?
-
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?
-
Whom should I call with questions or problems?
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?
-
What are the possible long-term effects of having this surgery?
Questions to ask about having radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted 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?
-
What are the possible long-term effects of having this treatment?
-
What can be done to 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 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?