What should you ask your doctor about salivary gland cancer?

As you cope with cancer and cancer treatment, we encourage you to have honest, open discussions with your doctor. Feel free to ask any question that's on your mind, no matter how small it might seem. Here are some questions you might want to ask. Nurses, social workers, and other members of the treatment team may also be able to answer many of your questions.

• What kind of salivary gland cancer do I have?
• Which salivary gland is affected?
• Is my cancer high grade (very aggressive) or low grade?
• Has my cancer spread beyond the primary site?
• What is the stage of my cancer, and what does that mean in my case?
• Are there other tests that need to be done before we can decide on treatment?
• How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
• Should I get a second opinion?
• What treatment choices do I have?
• What treatment do you recommend and why?
• What is the goal of the treatment?
• Based on what you've learned about my cancer, what is my prognosis (outlook)?
• What risks or possible side effects are there to the treatments you suggest?
• 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 are the chances my cancer will recur with these treatment plans?
• What would we do if the treatment doesn't work or if the cancer recurs?
• What type of follow-up might I need after treatment?

Along with these sample questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For instance, you might want more information about your recovery time so you can plan your work schedule. Or you may want to ask about clinical trials for which you may qualify.