Questions to Ask About Adrenal Cancer

As you deal with adrenal cancer and the process of treatment, you should be able to have frank, open discussions with your cancer care team. Ask any questions, no matter how trivial they might seem. Among the questions you might want to ask are:

• Do I have a benign or malignant (cancerous) adrenal gland tumor?
• Will I need more tests?
• Will I need to see any other types of doctors?
• Has my cancer spread beyond the adrenal gland?
• Is my tumor secreting excessive amounts of hormones?
• How will we treat the hormone excess?
• Are the changes to my body permanent?
• How will we treat the changes to my body?
• Is this form of adrenal gland cancer hereditary?
• What are my treatment choices?
• What side effects can I expect from my treatments?
• What are the other risks of treatment?
• How soon do we need to start treatment?
• What will treatment be like?
• Where will treatment be done?
• How long will it take to recover from treatment?
• When can I go back to work after treatment?
• What are the chances that the cancer will come back?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• Do I need a second opinion?
• Based on what you've learned about my cancer, will it shorten my life?

You will no doubt have other questions about your personal situation. Be sure and write your questions down so you remember to ask them during each visit with your cancer care team. Keep in mind, too, that doctors aren't the only ones who can give you information. Other health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, may have the answers you seek. You can find more information about communicating with your health care team in The Doctor-Patient Relationship.