What should you ask your doctor about acute myeloid leukemia?

It is important to have frank, open, and honest communications with your doctor about your condition. Your doctor and the rest of the cancer care team want to answer all of your questions. For instance, consider these questions:

• What kind of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) do I have?
• Are there any specific factors that might affect my prognosis?
• Are there other tests that need to be done before we can decide on treatment?
• How much experience do you and this medical center have treating this type of cancer?
• Should I get a second opinion?
• What treatment choices do I have?
• Should we consider a stem cell transplant? When?
• Which treatment do you recommend, and why?
• What are the risks and side effects to the treatments that you recommend?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• How long will treatment last? What will it involve? Where will it be done?
• How will treatment affect my daily activities?
• What is the outlook for my survival?
• What would we do if the treatment doesn't work or if the leukemia recurs?
• What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?

Be sure to write down any questions you have that are not on this list. For instance, you might want specific information about expected recovery times so that you can plan your work schedule. Or you may want to ask about clinical trials for which you may qualify. Taking another person and/or a tape recorder to the appointment can be helpful.