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 help you get the most out of your appointments and can make all the difference. Here are some questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How much experience do you and your colleagues at this institution have in treating sarcoma patients?
• Can my pathology slides be reviewed by an expert sarcoma pathologist?
• What is my specific type of sarcoma and are there any ongoing clinical trials?
• Will my case be discussed in a multi-disciplinary planning conference before any irrevocable treatment decisions are made?
• What is the prognosis for my stage of disease?
• Will you help me arrange for a second opinion at a sarcoma referral center if I feel unsure about a next step in my treatment program?