Questions to Ask the Doctor

It is important to have honest, open discussions with your doctors and nurses. Feel free to ask questions, even if they seem trivial. It is a good idea to write your questions down so you will remember to ask them during each appointment. Here are some important questions you may want to ask:

• Is my tumor benign or malignant?
• What is the extent of my tumor? Has it spread beyond the parathyroid gland?
• Will I be treated for hypercalcemia?
• What is the goal of treatment? What are my options? Which would you recommend?
• How long will treatment last? Will the treatment require me to stay in the hospital?
• What are the benefits of each treatment? What are the risks and side effects?
• Do you have any advice on managing side effects? What can I do to take care of myself during treatment?
• What are the chances that the tumor comes back after treatment? What will my follow-up schedule be?