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Questions to Ask Your Doctor about Your Treatment

Here are some questions to ask your doctor to help you decide on the best treatment for you. 

  • What treatments (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery, etc.) are available for my tumor type? 
  • What is the standard treatment for my tumor type? If there are not standard guidelines, what treatment options would you recommend for my tumor type and why? 
  • What are the benefits and risks of each treatment option? 
  • If my treatment requires a specialist, such as a neurosurgeon or neuroradiologist, could you recommend one?  
  • Are there clinical trials available for my tumor type? If so, where can I find clinical trial information? 
  • When do I need to make a treatment decision? And when would I start treatment? 
  • How long will I be on the treatment? 
  • How will the treatment be administered (orally, intravenously, or via another form)? 
  • Where will I receive treatment? 
  • How will you know if the treatment is working? If the treatment is not working, are there other options?  
  • How often do you recommend I have imaging tests? 
  • What are common treatment symptoms or side effects? 
  • How do you manage treatment symptoms or side effects? 
  • Are there long-term effects of the treatment? 
  • Can I work and carry on with my normal activities during treatment? 
  • What symptoms or side effects do I need to report? And what is the best way to report them? 
  • How do I contact your team if I have treatment-related questions during the day, night, or weekends? 
  • Will insurance cover the treatment? 
  • If I want a second opinion, whom do you recommend I see? 
  • Can you recommend online educational resources where I can read more information about treatments?  

We encourage you to print these questions and bring them with you to your appointment.

  • Updated:

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