Questions for your Doctor

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Make Sure You Ask Your Doctor the Important Questions

BEFORE your TREATMENT

• What is the stage of the disease? Has the cancer spread? Do any lymph nodes show signs of cancer?
• What is the goal of treatment? What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
• Will I have more than one kind of treatment?
• What are the expected benefits of each type of treatment?
• What can I do to prepare for treatment?
• Will I need to stay in the hospital? If so, for how long?
• What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? For example, am I likely to have eating problems during or after treatment? How can side effects be managed?
• What will the treatment cost? Will my insurance cover it?
• Would a research study (clinical trial) be appropriate for me?
• Can you recommend other doctors who could give me a second opinion about my treatment options?
• How often should I have checkups?Close

BEFORE an ENDOSCOPY

• Where will the procedure take place?
• Will I have to go to the hospital?
• How long will it take? Will I be awake?
• Will it hurt?Close

BEFORE a BIOPSY

• Where will the procedure take place?
• Will I have to go to the hospital?
• How long will it take? Will I be awake?
• Will it hurt?
• Will I get an anesthetic?
• What are the risks?
• What are the chances of infection or bleeding afterward?
• How do I prepare for the procedure?
• How long will it take me to recover?
• How soon will I know the results?
• Will I get a copy of the pathology report?
• If I do have cancer, who will talk to me about the next steps? When?Close

BEFORE a CAT or PET Scan

• Where will the procedure take place?
• Will I have to go to the hospital?
• How long will it take? Will I be awake?
• Will it hurt?Close

BEFORE your SURGERY

• Do you suggest surgery for me? If so, which type?
• Will you remove lymph nodes and other tissue? Will you remove part or all of the stomach? Why?
• What are the risks of surgery?
• How will I feel after surgery?
• How will pain be controlled after surgery?
• How long will I be in the hospital?
• Am I likely to have eating problems? Will I need a special diet?
• Will I need a feeding tube? If so, for how long? How do I take care of it? Who can help me if I have a problem?
• Will I have any lasting side effects?Close

BEFORE CHEMO

• Which drugs will I get?
• When will treatment start? When will it end? How often will I have treatments?
• Where will I go for treatment? Will I have to stay in the hospital?
• What can I do to take care of myself during treatment?
• How will we know the treatment is working?
• Will I have side effects during treatment? What side effects should I tell you about? Can I prevent or treat any of these side effects?
• Can these drugs affect my fertility?
• Can these drugs cause side effects later on?Close

BEFORE RADIATION

• Which type of radiation therapy can I consider? Are both types an option for me?
• When will treatment start? When will it end? How often will I have treatments?
• Will I need to stay in the hospital?
• What can I do to take care of myself before, during, and after treatment?
• How will I feel during treatment? Will I be able to drive myself to and from treatment?
• How will we know the treatment is working?
• How will I feel after the radiation therapy?
• Are there any lasting effects?Close


 

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Last updated: April 4, 2012 at 16:38 pm
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