What questions should I ask my oncologist?
The short answer
The most useful questions cover four things: your exact diagnosis and its markers, every treatment option rather than only the recommended one, what to expect and how it will be measured, and what you might be missing, such as trials, tests, or specialists.
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Who this applies to
Anyone preparing for an oncology appointment, whether newly diagnosed, starting treatment, or reassessing a plan. Walking in with written questions is one of the highest-leverage things you can do.
The four things worth covering
Your diagnosis: the exact type, subtype, stage, and which biomarkers have (and have not) been tested. Your options: every reasonable treatment, not only the recommended one, and the tradeoffs of each. What to expect: the goal of treatment (cure vs. control), the likely side effects, and how success will be measured. What might be missing: clinical trials you could qualify for, additional testing, and whether a specialist or tumor board should review your case.
How to get the most from the appointment
Bring your questions written down and in priority order, because appointments are short. Bring someone to take notes. Ask for plain-language explanations of anything you do not understand, and ask for the sources or guidelines behind the recommendation. It is reasonable to ask what the doctor would do if this were their own family member.
Questions to ask your oncologist
- What exactly is my diagnosis: type, subtype, stage, and which biomarkers were tested?
- What are all my treatment options, and why do you recommend this one over the others?
- Is the goal to cure the cancer or to control it, and how will we measure whether it is working?
- Are there clinical trials I might qualify for, or tests we have not done yet?
- Should my case be reviewed by a tumor board or a specialist in this exact cancer?
Check this against your case
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Written by OpenCancer’s science team and grounded in NCCN and NCI guidance. Independent medical review by our clinical team is in progress.
For informational purposes only. This page is grounded in published guidelines and is not medical advice. Always consult your oncologist or care team before making treatment decisions.