As noted earlier, it is important to have frank, open discussions with your cancer care team. They want to answer all of your questions, no matter how trivial they might seem.

For instance, consider these questions:

• What kind of thymic tumor do I have?
• Has my cancer spread beyond the primary site?
• What is the stage of my cancer and what does that mean in my case?
• What treatment choices do I have?
• What do you recommend and why?
• What are the chances my cancer will recur (come back) with these treatment plans?
• What risks or side effects are there to the treatments you suggest?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• Based on what you've learned about my cancer, how long do you think I'll survive?

In addition to these questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For instance, you might want more information about recovery times so you can plan your work schedule. Or, you may want to ask about second opinions or about clinical trials for which you may qualify.