It is important for you to have frank, open discussions with your child's cancer care team. They want to answer all of your questions, no matter how minor you might think they are. Here are some questions to consider:
- What kind of tumor does my child have?
- Where is the tumor located, and how far has it spread?
- Are there other tests that need to be done before we can decide on treatment?
- Are there other doctors we need to see?
- How much experience do you have treating this type of tumor?
- What treatment options do we have? What do you recommend? Why?
- What are the possible risks and side effects of treatment?
- How might treatment affect my child's ability to learn, grow, and develop?
- Will treatment affect my child's future ability to have children?
- What should we do to be ready for treatment?
- How long will treatment last? What will it involve? Where will it be done?
- How will treatment affect our daily activities?
- Based on what you've learned about my child's tumor, what is the expected prognosis (outlook)?
- What will we do if the treatment doesn't work or if the tumor recurs?
- What type of follow-up will my child need after treatment?
- Are there nearby support groups or other families who have been through this that we could talk to?
Along with these sample questions, be sure to write down any others you might want to ask. For instance, you might want information about recovery times so you can plan your work and your child's school and activity schedule. Or you may want to ask about second opinions concerning the diagnosis and treatment options, or about clinical trials for which your child may qualify.
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