Questions to Ask About Merkel Cell Carcinoma

It’s important to have honest, open discussions with your doctor. You should feel comfortable asking questions about Merkel cell carcinoma or anything else, no matter how small it might seem. Here are some questions you might want to ask.

Questions to ask when you’re told you have Merkel cell carcinoma

• How sure are you about my diagnosis of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)?
• Has the cancer spread beyond where it started? Has it spread to lymph nodes or other organs?
• Do I need a sentinel lymph node biopsy to look for cancer in the lymph nodes?
• Will I need any other tests before we can decide on treatment?
• What is the stage of my MCC?
• Do I need to see any other types of doctors?
• Who can talk to me about costs and insurance coverage for my diagnosis and treatment?

Questions to ask when deciding on a treatment plan for MCC

• How much experience do you have treating Merkel cell carcinoma?
• What are my treatment options? What do you recommend? Why?
• Should I get a second opinion? Can you recommend a doctor or cancer center?
• What’s the goal of treatment?
• How quickly do we need to decide on treatment?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will it be done?
• What risks or side effects I should expect? How long are they likely to last?
• Will I have a scar after treatment? What will it look like?
• How might treatment affect my daily activities? My work? My sex life?
• What are the chances of the cancer will still grow or come back after the treatment options we've discussed? What would we do if that happens?
• If I’m worried about managing the costs of cancer care, who can help me?

Questions to ask during treatment for MCC

Once treatment of Merkel cell carcinoma starts, you’ll need to know what to expect and what to look for. Not all of these questions might apply to you, but getting answers to the ones that do may be helpful.

• How will we know if treatment is working?
• Is there anything I can do to help manage side effects?
• What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
• How can I reach the clinical team during regular business hours? How about nights, holidays, or weekends?
• Are there any limits on what I can do?
• Can you suggest a mental health professional I can see if I start to feel overwhelmed, depressed, or distressed?

Questions to ask after treatment for MCC

• What symptoms of Merkel cell carcinoma should I watch for?
• What are the chances of the cancer coming back?
• What are my chances of developing another skin cancer?
• Should I take special precautions to avoid the sun?
• What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
• How will we know if the cancer has come back? What would my options be if that happens?
• Are my family members at risk for skin cancer? What should I tell them to do?

Along with these sample 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 or activity schedule. Or you may want to ask about clinical trials that might be right for you.

Keep in mind that your doctor isn’t the only one who can give you information. Other health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, may have the answers to some of your questions. You can learn more about speaking with your health care team in The Doctor-Patient Relationship.