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:

• Where is the cancer located?
• Can you explain my child's pathology report to me?
• What stage is my child's neuroblastoma?
• What is my child's risk group? What is the prognosis?
• What are the treatment options?
• What are the benefits of each treatment? Which would you recommend and why?
• What are the possible risks and side effects of each treatment?
• Do you have any advice on managing side effects? What can I do to take care of myself during treatment?
• What is treatment recovery like?
• What are the chances that the tumor comes back after treatment? What will the follow-up schedule be?
• Will you help me arrange for second opinions if I feel unsure about a next step in my child's treatment program?
• What should I tell other people (kids, parents, siblings, friends, etc.) about the cancer when they ask?