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Questions to Ask About Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

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It is important for you to have honest, open discussions with your cancer care team. They want to answer all of your questions, no matter how trivial you might think they are. Here are some questions to consider:

When you’re told you have Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia

  • Where is the cancer located?
  • Will I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
  • Do I need to see any other doctors or health professionals?
  • If I’m concerned about the costs and insurance coverage for my diagnosis and treatment, who can help me?
  • Do you recommend starting treatment now or waiting until later on?

When deciding on a treatment plan

  • What are my treatment options?
  • What do you recommend and why?
  • Is a stem cell transplant an option for me? What are the pros and cons of this treatment?
  • How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
  • Should I get a second opinion? How do I do that? Can you recommend someone?
  • What would the goal of the treatment be (to reduce symptoms, lower IgM levels, etc.)?
  • 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 are there to the treatments you suggest? Are there things I can do to reduce these side effects?
  • How might treatment affect my daily activities? Can I still work full time?
  • What are the chances the cancer will recur (come back) with these treatment plans?
  • What will we do if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer recurs?
  • What if I have transportation problems getting to and from treatment? 

During treatment

Once treatment begins, you’ll need to know what to expect and what to look for. Not all of these questions may apply to you, but asking the ones that do may be helpful.

  • How will we know if the 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 you on nights, holidays, or weekends?
  • Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
  • Are there any limits on what I can do?
  • Can I exercise during treatment? If so, what kind should I do, and how often?
  • Can you suggest a mental health professional I can see if I start to feel overwhelmed, depressed, or distressed?
  • What if I need social support during treatment because my family lives far away?

After treatment

  • Do I need a special diet after treatment?
  • Are there any limits on what I can do?
  • What other symptoms should I watch for?
  • What kind of exercise should I do now?
  • What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
  • How often will I need to have follow-up exams and imaging tests?
  • Will I need any blood tests?
  • How will we know if the cancer has come back? What should I watch for?
  • What will my options be if the cancer comes back?

Along with these sample questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For instance, you might want more information about recovery times. Or you may want to ask about available clinical trials.

Keep in mind that doctors aren’t the only ones who can give you information. Other health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, can answer some of your questions. To find out more about speaking with your health care team, see The Doctor-Patient Relationship.

The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team

Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.

Last Revised: July 19, 2018

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