What are some questions I can ask my doctor about salivary gland cancer?

As you cope with cancer and cancer treatment, you need to have honest, open talks with your doctor. You should 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. Be sure to add your own questions as you think of them. Nurses, social workers, and other members of the treatment team may also be able to answer many of your questions.

• Would you please write down the exact kind of cancer I have?
• Which salivary gland is involved?
• Is my cancer high grade or low grade?
• Has my cancer spread beyond the place where it started?
• What is the stage of my cancer, and what does that mean in my case?
• What treatment choices do I have?
• Which treatment do you recommend and why?
• How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
• What is the goal of this treatment?
• How long will treatment last? What will it involve? Where will it be done?
• What are the risks or side effects of treatment?
• What are the chances the cancer will come back after this treatment?
• What would we do if the treatment doesn't work or if the cancer comes back?
• What are my chances of survival, based on my case as you see it?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• What type of follow-up might I need after treatment?

Add your own questions below: