Your doctor will recommend an appropriate chemotherapy plan based on your medical history, type of cancer, extent of cancer, current state of health, and the current research.

You may want to ask your doctor or nurses the following questions about your chemotherapy treatment plan:

• What is the goal of chemotherapy for my cancer?

• What chemotherapy drugs will I be given?

• How will I take these drugs (by mouth or through a vein)?

• How often will I need to take chemotherapy?

• How long will I be having chemotherapy treatments?

• Where will I be given the drugs?

• Are there ways to help me prepare for treatment and decrease the chance of side effects?

• How will we know if it's working?

• What side effects might I have?

• What activities should I do or not do to take care of myself?

• Can I continue to work (or go to school) during treatment?

• What long-term effects might I expect?

• How can I contact you after office hours if I have signs or symptoms that you need to know about?

• How much will chemotherapy cost? Will it be covered by my insurance or health plan?

• If the insurance company requests a second opinion, or if I would like one, whom do you suggest I see?

Go back to Chemotherapy Principles

Last Medical Review: 06/17/2009
Last Revised: 06/17/2009