As you deal with your child's cancer and the process of treatment, you need to have frank, open discussions with your cancer care team. You should feel free to ask any question that's on your mind, no matter how trivial it might seem. Among the questions you might want to ask are:

• What is the tumor grade of my child’s neuroblastoma?
• Does my child’s tumor secrete any markers?
• Has the cancer spread to other parts of the body?
• What is the stage of the cancer? What does the staging mean in my child's case?
• What treatment choices do we have?
• If your child were to have treatment, what kind would you choose?
• What are the chances that the cancer will recur?
• Based on what you've learned about this cancer, how long do you think my child will survive if there is no response to treatment or the tumor comes back?
• What side effects will my child experience from treatment? What can be done for the side effects?
• Will my child experience any long-term risks or complications from the disease or its treatment?
• How long will it take my child to recover from treatment?
• Does one type of treatment reduce the risk of recurrence more than another?
• What should I do to help my child be ready for treatment?
• Should I get a second opinion?
• Is there a support group in my town for families who are coping with neuroblastoma or childhood cancer?

You will no doubt have other questions about your own personal situation. Be sure to write down your questions so you remember to ask them during each visit with your cancer care team. Keep in mind, too, that doctors are not the only ones who can give you information. Other health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, may have the answers you seek.

Revised: 08/04/2006