Before Undergoing a Biopsy

• How long will it take?
• Will I be awake?
• Will it hurt?
• Will I need to stay in the hospital?
• How soon will I know the results?
• If I do have cancer, who will talk with me about treatment? When?

After Diagnosis

• Is this a cancer?
• If so, will you write down the medical name for it?
• Are there other names for this same cancer?
• What is the difference between a benign and a malignant tumor?
• What stage and grade is my cancer?
• What are the treatment choices?
• Which do you recommend? Why?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
• What are the chances that the treatment will be successful?
• What new treatments are being studied in clinical trials?
• Would a clinical trial be appropriate?
• Will you send my records to another physician if I decide to get a second opinion?

Before Treatment Begins

• What is the goal of this treatment?
• When will the treatments begin?
• When will they end?
• Will I have to stay in the hospital?
• How will I feel during therapy?
• What are the possible side effects?
• How will you manage the side effects?
• If I have pain, how will you manage it?
• What is the treatment likely to cost?
• What can I do to take care of myself during therapy?
• What effect will cancer/cancer therapies have on my eating habits?
• Are there any foods I should avoid?
• Are there any foods I could benefit from eating?
• How will I know if the therapy is working?
• Will I be able to continue my normal activities during treatment?

If Cancer is in Remission and/or After You Have Completed Treatment

• Will the cancer come back?
• How often will you see me and for how long?
• Will I be able to lead a "normal life?"
• What kind of ongoing health needs will I have?
• Are there long term side effects of the treatment or disease that may occur?
• How often do they occur?
• When are they most likely to occur?