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

• What kind of thyroid cancer do I have?
• Has my cancer spread beyond the thyroid gland?
• What is the stage of my thyroid cancer? What does the staging mean in my case?
• Is this form of thyroid cancer hereditary? Should my family be tested?
• Does this type of thyroid cancer affect any other organs?
• Do I need all or part of my thyroid gland removed?
• Will I need to take thyroid hormone for the rest of my life?
• What other treatment choices do I have?
• What side effects can I expect from my treatments?
• What are the other risks of treatments?
• How long will it take me to recover from treatment?
• When can I go back to work after treatment?
• How soon after treatment can I have sex?
• How long do I need to avoid pregnancy?
• Will this treatment affect my ability to have children?
• What are the chances that my cancer will recur?
• Does one type of treatment reduce the risk of recurrence more than another?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• Do I need a second opinion?
• Based on what you've learned about my cancer, how long do you think I will survive?

You will no doubt have other questions about your own personal situation. Be sure to write your questions down 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 provide you with information. Other health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, may have the answers you seek.