Cancer Treatment Options

Questions about cancer treatment options:

• What immediate treatment do you recommend for me?
  
• Are there options available to me for short-term treatment? If so, what are they? How do they compare? If you recommend one treatment over another, why is that?
  
• What will that treatment aim to do to the disease?
  
• What types of side effects might I experience from the treatment?  What can I do to minimize any negative side effects?
  
• What kind of cycle or schedule of treatment will I follow?
  
• Where will I receive the treatment?  Are there options for where I can go so that I’m as close to home as possible?
  
• If I opt for treatment at a larger center that has more experience with my disease, can my treatment be coordinated with my doctor at home so I can actually receive my treatment locally whenever possible?
  
• What options are available to me for long-term treatment (if needed)?
  
• How will the treatment affect my ability to work, attend school, travel, or do any of the other routines of daily life?
  
• What signs should I expect to see that show that the treatment is having a positive effect?
  
• Are there any research studies regarding treatment for my illness that would be beneficial for me to be part of?  
  
• I’ve heard that some cancers respond to immunotherapy.  What is that, and would it be an option for me?
  
• Who can help me connect with others who have, or have had, the same illness I have, in order to get some emotional support?
  
• If I have unexpected side effects or some other medical issue that arises, especially outside of ‘regular’ doctor office hours, who should I contact?