Questions to Ask the Doctor

If you have a good understanding of your disease and can explain your condition back to your doctor, then you're in good shape. Questions are your primary resource to gain a better understanding of your disease and enhance your quality of care. Well-thought-out questions can make all the difference and can help you get the most out of your appointments. Here are some questions you may want to ask:

• What type of bone cancer do I have?
• What is the stage of my disease?
• What is the grade of my bone cancer?
• What are my treatment options?
• What are the benefits of each treatment?
• What are the risks and side effects of each treatment?
• Do you have any advice on managing side effects?
• What are the goals of therapy?
• What is my prognosis?
• Do you and your colleagues at this institution have experience in treating sarcoma patients? And specifically my type of sarcoma?
• Will my case be discussed in a multi-disciplinary planning conference before any irrevocable treatment decisions are made?
• Will you help me arrange for second opinions if I feel unsure about a next step in my treatment program?