Health Center

Hematology-Oncology Medical Group of the San Fernando Valley

Ten Questions to Ask your Oncologist:

1. What is my diagnosis?

Get a copy of your pathology report and read it.

2. What is the stage (extent) of my disease?

Primary Tumor (size, involvement of nearby structures) (T)
Local lymph Nodes involved? How many? (N)
Metastases (Yes or No) (M)

3. Is treatment necessary at this time and why?

4. What is the goal of treatment?

Cure
Tumor shrinkage
Prolongation of life
Symptom control

5. What are the treatment options, their benefits, risks and cost considerations; are there clinical trials or new investigative therapies I should consider?

6. Is the tumor type rare or are the circumstances unusual? (Second opinion trigger question)

7. How do I evaluate the success or failure of my proposed treatment; how do I know if I am getting better or worse; and how often will I need to see you?

Parameters to follow:
Tumor size on x-ray, scan, or physical exam
Blood tests, tumor marker studies

8. Just how good a doctor are you?

Ask 2 reputable sources
Board certification in specialty (1-800 776-CERT or www.certifieddoctor.org/verify)
Experience/Skill (# of cases per year of procedure or treatment)
Social/communicative skills

9. How do I contact you, my doctor, if I need you; if you are unavailable, who will be taking call?

10. How can I learn more about my cancer?

National Cancer Institute PDQ Search (1 800 4 CANCER or www.nci.nih.gov)
Ask NOAH ABout: Cancer (www.noah.cuny.edu/illness/cancer/cancer.html)
Specific pamphlets available from your doctor, oncology nurse, or hospital library
American Cancer Society, Leukemia Society of America, etc.
Other patients who have experienced similar treatments

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