Kidney Cancer Questions

For people who have been diagnosed with kidney cancer, questions of all sorts may come to mind. However, the shock and stress that often accompany a diagnosis of kidney cancer can make it difficult for people to remember the questions they'd like to ask the doctor. The following article contains a list of kidney cancer questions that patients may wish to ask their doctor.

 

Kidney Cancer Questions: An Introduction

Many people with kidney cancer want to take an active part in making decisions about their medical care and their kidney cancer treatment. However, the shock and stress after a kidney cancer diagnosis can make it hard to think of everything to ask the doctor. Some patients find that it is helpful to make a list of kidney cancer questions before their appointment.
 

Kidney Cancer Questions to Ask Before a Biopsy

Questions to ask the doctor the doctor prior to a biopsy include the following:
 
  • What type of biopsy will I have? Why?
  • How long will it take? Will I be awake? Will it hurt?
  • How soon will I know the results?
  • Are there any risks? What is the chance of infection or bleeding afterward?
  • If I do have cancer, who will talk with me about treatment? When?
 

Kidney Cancer Questions to Ask Before Treatment

Consider asking your doctor the following questions before undergoing kidney cancer treatment:
 
  • What is the kidney cancer stage? Has the cancer spread? If so, where?
  • What are my kidney cancer treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me?
  • Will I have more than one kind of treatment?
  • What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
  • Will it cure or control the disease?
  • What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
  • Will I be given anything to control side effects?
  • How long will treatment for kidney cancer last?
  • Will I have to stay in the hospital?
  • What is the treatment likely to cost? Is this treatment covered by my insurance plan?
  • How will treatment affect my normal activities?
  • How often should I have checkups?
  • Would a kidney cancer clinical trial (research study) be appropriate for me?
 
(Kidney Cancer Questions Continued: Page 2)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD