Brain Cancer Questions: An Introduction
Many people with
brain cancer want to take an active part in making decisions about their medical care and their
brain cancer treatment. However, the shock and stress after a brain cancer diagnosis can make it hard to think of everything to ask the doctor. Some people find that it helps to make a list of brain cancer questions before an appointment.
Brain Cancer Questions to Ask Before a Biopsy
Questions to ask the doctor prior to a biopsy include:
- How will the biopsy be done?
- Will I have to go to the hospital?
- Will I have to do anything to prepare for it?
- How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt?
- Are there any risks? What are the chances of infection or bleeding after the procedure?
- How long will it take me to recover?
- How soon will I know the results? Who will explain them to me?
- If I do have a brain tumor, who will talk to me about next steps? When?
Brain Cancer Questions to Ask Before Treatment
Questions to ask the doctor prior to brain cancer treatment include:
- What type of brain tumor do I have?
- Is it benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous)?
- What is the grade of the tumor?
- What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
- Will I have more than one kind of treatment?
- What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of the brain cancer treatment?
- What can we do to control my side effects?
- How else can I take care of myself during treatment?
- How will treatment affect my normal activities?
- Would a clinical trial (research study) be a good choice for me?
- Whom should I call if I have problems during treatment?
- What is the treatment likely to cost? Does my insurance cover this treatment?
- How often should I have checkups?
- Is there any alternative brain cancer treatment available?
