What should I bring to my Sarcoma treatment appointments

What to Bring to Your Sarcoma Treatment Appointments

Preparing for your appointments helps you get the most out of your time with your care team and ensures they have all the information needed to make the best decisions about your treatment. Here's what you should bring:

Essential Medical Documents

Your [ID removed] & Test Results

• Any pathology reports (the detailed analysis of your tumor tissue)
• Imaging reports and images (CT scans, MRI, PET scans, X-rays) on CD or USB drive if available
• Lab work and blood test results
• Previous treatment summaries if you've been treated elsewhere
• Genetic testing results (if you've had any molecular or biomarker testing)

According to the NCCN Guidelines for Soft Tissue Sarcoma, your care team needs to understand your tumor's grade (how aggressive it is), size, and specific characteristics to plan appropriate treatment. Having these documents readily available prevents delays.

Information About Your Health

Medical History Summary

• List of all current medications and supplements
• Allergies (especially to chemotherapy drugs or contrast dyes used in imaging)
• Previous surgeries or radiation therapy
• Other medical conditions (heart disease, kidney problems, etc.)
• Family history of cancer

Questions & Notes

Prepared Questions

• Write down questions beforehand—it's easy to forget them during appointments
• Bring a notebook to take notes on your doctor's responses
• Note any new symptoms or side effects you've experienced since your last visit

Symptom Tracker

• Document any pain, swelling, or functional changes in the area where your tumor is located
• Note any general symptoms like fatigue, appetite changes, or difficulty with activities

Insurance & Administrative Items

• Insurance card and photo ID
• Referral forms (if required by your insurance)
• List of your healthcare providers and their contact information
• Any forms your doctor's office sent you to complete in advance

Support & Advocacy

Bring a Support Person

• A trusted family member or friend can help you listen, take notes, and ask questions
• They can also help you remember important information to discuss

Advocacy Materials (if helpful for you)

• Information about sarcoma support groups
• Notes from other patients' experiences (though remember your case is unique)

For Specific Appointment Types

Before Surgery:

• Confirmation of your pre-operative testing results
• List of medications to stop before surgery
• Instructions about fasting

During Chemotherapy or Radiation:

• Your treatment schedule and any side effect management instructions from previous sessions
• Record of how you tolerated previous treatments

Follow-up Appointments:

• Your imaging schedule and any recent scans
• Notes about any recurrence concerns or new symptoms

Why This Matters

According to NCCN Guidelines, sarcoma treatment requires multidisciplinary evaluation—meaning your surgical oncologist, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist, and other specialists all need to coordinate your care. Having complete, organized information helps them work together effectively and make decisions based on your complete clinical picture.

Pro Tips

• Keep a folder with copies of all your key documents
• Use a patient portal if your healthcare system offers one—you can often access and download records digitally
• Take photos of any visible changes to the tumor area between appointments
• Keep a symptom diary for a week or two before appointments

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.