Newly Diagnosed

• Cancer type (adenocarcinoma, myeloma, lymphoma, leukemia, etc.)
• Tissue of Origin (lung, breast, colon, blood, etc.)
• Size and specific location of primary tumor 
• Cancer Stage  (Stage 0-4 and/or TNM stage)
• Tumor/Tissue Grade (G0-G4, differentiated/undifferentiated cells)
• Location and size of any metastases
• Inherited mutations that may have made me more susceptible to cancer
• Acquired Mutations specific to the cancer (from tumor genomic profiling, to determine if you have any mutations that can be targeted by a specific therapy)
• Genomic Instability (CIN, MSI-H/dMMR)
• Biomarkers (clinically significant/relevant)

This information is used to partially determine your treatment plan. Your oncologist will likely refer to standard-of-care guidelines from the NCCN to plan your first, second, or third-line treatment options, initially based on your type of cancer (e.g. adenocarcinoma), tissue of origin (e.g. colon or colorectal), and specific location (e.g. at the recto-sigmoid junction). Tumor size doesn’t consistently correlate with seriousness or aggressiveness, but it’s a worthwhile data point to record for future reference.  

These diagnostic factors are determined by your oncologist, surgeon, and/or, in large part, by pathologists--the physicians who examine your tumor tissue on a microscopic level. Various tissue characteristics can help identify if and how much a tumor has spread (local, regional, distant), if any nearby lymph nodes have cancer, how unusual the cancer cells look under a microscope, etc. There are infographics on the Cancer Stage & Pathology page that dive into more details on staging and grading.  You can also visit the My Cancer Type page to find resources on staging for your specific cancer type. 

Cancer cells from a biopsy, surgery, and/or your blood will likely be analyzed for mutations and biomarkers that could play a role in your diagnosis and the treatment options available to you. There may be specific mutations and biomarkers your doctor wants to screen for depending on your cancer type and family history. A mutation is a change in a gene that can alter how cells function, and biomarkers, for these purposes, are genes or proteins that may provide information about the presence, extent, or characteristics of your cancer.

There are two main types of mutations you may encounter. 

1. Hereditary mutations, also called germline or inherited mutations, are genetic changes you are born with that were passed down from your parents. Some hereditary mutations make cancer development more likely, and if you have one of these mutations, it may also affect your parents, siblings, or children and their risk of developing cancer. A genetic test, or hereditary cancer panel, is used to identify these inherited mutations. Additionally, if you test positive for an inherited mutation, your family may need to be notified and/or tested as well. This testing (testing patient's family after patient receives a positive genetic test for a hereditary mutation) is called cascade testing. Here's a <2-minute video that gives an overview of cascade genetic testing, explained by a Genetic Counselor. You can speak with a genetic counselor or visit the Genetics & Mutations page on our site to learn more about hereditary mutations.  
2. Acquired mutations, also called somatic or sporadic mutations, are genetic changes that occur over the course of your life and are not present in all cells in your body. The acquired mutations being sought by your provider are those specific to the genes in your tumor, not your entire body. You may hear tests for these mutations referred to as genomic profiling, genome sequencing, tumor sequencing, tumor subtyping, molecular profiling, or biomarker testing. Cancer is known to mutate regularly (think about how the flu has new variants all the time) so it's worth exploring with your doctor if your tumor should be profiled again during your course of care in case new mutations arise that may be targetable by other therapies. 

Biomarkers, sometimes called tumor markers, not only include gene mutations in your tumor as mentioned above, but also include proteins and other substances found throughout the body that may point back to cancer. These markers are tested for in the blood, urine, tissue, or saliva, and the presence and/or abundance of these markers can indicate active cancer in the body. Some examples of biomarkers include CEA, CA-125, CD19, MSI/dMMR, HER2 amplification, and PSA. 

ctDNA, or circulating tumor DNA in your blood, is another biomarker test you may receive during your care. These tests can tell us if cancer DNA is detectable in your body, and multiple ctDNA measurements over time may reveal how well your cancer is (or is not) responding to therapy. MRD, or minimal residual disease, is a measure of how much ctDNA is present in your blood following treatment and can be used for the early detection of recurrence. 

Please visit our Labs, Biomarkers & ctDNA page to learn more about tumor markers, ctDNA, and minimal residual disease. 

It’s shocking to hear the phrase, “you have cancer.” When you first hear these words, there will likely be a laundry list of questions you have about your cancer that cannot be answered immediately. Your initial diagnosis could come from any doctor who screens you for cancer, from a surgeon, a hospital physician, an advanced practice provider like a PA or Nurse Practitioner, or from an oncologist. You may not receive a complete diagnosis until the reports are back from all tests and procedures (genetic testing, tumor profiling, pathology (tissue analysis), surgical pathology (lymph node involvement and spread of cancer), imaging (CT scan, MRI, PET scan), and any other labs ordered. It may be a few weeks before you know all of this information, and the wait is undoubtedly stressful. Take a look back at the Roadmap to see if there are other things you can be tackling in the meantime. And because this is such a common feeling, let’s make one thing very clear: your cancer diagnosis is NOT your fault. 

Cancer happened to you, not because of you. 

In some cases, surgery takes places very early in the process. It may be the first treatment step taken after diagnosis or it may occur as the result of an emergency visit during which cancer is discovered. If surgery is not immediately necessary, possible, or advisable, you may undergo a procedure known as a biopsy to remove a small amount of tissue for further analysis of your cancer. This is usually done in an outpatient setting (meaning you go home the same day) , but it may carry some of the same risks as major surgery. Talk to your doctor to determine if you need a biopsy, what type of biopsy will be done, and what the risks are. You can learn more about biopsies by visiting the Cancer Stage & Pathology and Surgery pages.  

Finding the right doctor isn’t always easy. You may not meet with an oncologist until after surgery or you may be referred to speak with one before any intervention takes place. Start your search by calling your insurance company to get a list of oncologists/cancer centers within a reasonable distance of your home. You may be able to choose between community cancer centers, academic medical institutions, and NCI cancer centers, depending on your location. You can also ask for recommendations from you primary care doctor, another medical professional you trust, or people you know locally who have been under the care of an oncologist. You can also do research on your own by reading reviews online and verifying licenses, education, and board certifications. Visit the  Care Team Options page and scroll down to resources for credible sites to use in researching providers. Once you’ve narrowed your list down to 3-4 doctors, call each office to see if they’re accepting new patients and how quickly you can get in for a first appointment. If your insurance will cover it, book a minimum of 2 consults with different oncologists so you can get a feel for who is best for you.  

Tips for medical appointments:

• Bring someone with you to be a second set of ears and eyes, take notes for you, and ask additional questions. It's incredibly challenging to focus and retain information during oncology appointments, especially at the beginning when emotional trauma is freshest and heavy.
• If you don't have someone who can physically be with you, you can ask to invite someone to your appointment over speaker phone or FaceTime, or you can ask your doctor if it's okay to audio record the appointment so you can listen back later and take notes. 
• Prepare questions and topics of concern in advance of your appointment and bring your notes with you. 
• Prepare a list of all medications, supplements, vitamins you take or bring the actual bottles with you to each appointment. 
• Ask for copies of all test, scan, and lab work results for your own medical records. 

As soon as there are tissue samples of your tumor available (from surgery or biopsy), they will be sent off to pathology for analysis. You can expect to learn your cancer stage, tumor grade, and information about invasion and metastasis from your pathology reports. Visit our Cancer Staging & Pathology page to learn more.  

If you haven’t had a genetic test to identify hereditary mutations, ask your doctor for more information. Most insurance plans will cover this testing based on your type of cancer, stage, and/or family history. If you’re not covered, visit the Cost of Care page for a list of organizations offering financial aid for genetic testing. It’s important to consider this type of testing because some mutations may make you eligible or ineligible for treatments beyond the traditional chemo, surgery, and radiation offerings. Visit our Genetics & Mutations page to learn more.  

Prior to surgery, biopsy, or starting any anti-cancer therapies, you will likely have some imaging done to take a closer look inside your body. This may be done using a CT scan, an MRI, an ultrasound, X-rays, or a PET scan. CTs and MRIs are the most common imaging modalities you’ll encounter during treatment and surveillance. PET scans may be reserved for special situations and not all cancer patients will need or benefit from a PET scan. To learn more about cancer imaging, please visit the Radiology (Imaging/Scans) page.  

Your blood will likely be drawn regularly and often during your treatment to monitor how your body is handling and/or responding to treatment. It’s common to have bloodwork weekly or biweekly during active treatment, and every few weeks or months once treatment has concluded. These routine tests may include a CBC (complete blood count), blood/general chemistry panel, and various biomarker tests, though these last tests may not be run as often as the others. Please visit the Labs, Biomarkers & ctDNA page for more information.  

The treatment options you’ll be presented with may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, clinical trials, or a combination of these. Depending on the stage of your cancer, you may be offered a “watchful waiting” approach in which no interventions are recommended at that time. While recommended treatment options are outlined in the NCCN Guidelines for your cancer type, the choice is still yours to choose not to pursue certain therapies.  

A prognosis is an educated physician estimate of your expected survivability based on statistics and clinical experience. It’s a guess as to what may happen for you in the future. It’s not a fact. It’s not completely personalized to you and your cancer. It is not a death sentence or an expiration date, and it’s not carved in stone. There is a healthy dose of uncertainty baked into every prognosis, and you should use that information as just that- an uncertain estimate. Think of a prognosis as the opinion of a single person made at a specific point in time using only the information known at the time. If new information is learned (how you responded to treatment, if cancer has spread, new mutations, etc.) then an updated prognosis that includes this new information would be needed. The earlier a prognosis is issued, the more likely it’s based heavily on statistics as opposed to any personal characteristics. However, as you move through diagnostics, treatments, surveillance, etc. the prognosis can be better tailored to you specifically. 

When can I ask about prognosis? 

• at diagnosis
• if your cancer progresses/gets worse/gets larger/spreads
• if your treatment options dwindle (toolbox gets empty)
• if you enter remission
• if you decide to stop treatment altogether

What individual information is factored into a prognosis? 

• cancer type and stage
• location of cancer
• cancer tissue grade
• age and health at the time (including comorbidities)
• extent of spread/metastasis
• cancer's response to treatment
• your body's response to treatment (tolerating side effects)
• performance status (ability to perform daily self-care responsibilities)
• other prognostic factors like mutations, hormone sensitivity, etc.

What does a doctor use to determine prognosis?

• Pathology reports (biopsies, stage, grade, metastasis)
• Imaging studies (CT, MRI, PET, etc.)
• Genetics (mutations- whether inherited or acquired)
• Lab work
• Clinical experience with similar patients
• Physician education and expertise
• Statistics/data

Prognosis: To Know or Not To Know

“Often, patients with common advanced cancers have inaccurate illness understanding and would benefit from effective prognostic communication. Many patients mistakenly believe that their cancers are curable when they are not. A recent study of patients with advanced lung and colorectal cancer found that 69% and 81%, respectively, believed that the chemotherapy they received was intended to cure them. These data suggest a need for oncologists to share prognostic information that is relevant to the understanding of the intent of treatment. Nevertheless, many oncologists are reluctant to do so, because they worry that, by sharing prognostic information, they will make patients needlessly hopeless or upset and/or that patients will view them less favorably as a result.” (1)

Knowing: Some Pros & Cons

• Pros: you'll have a more realistic understanding of what you may be up against; you'll have time to prepare for the future and end-of-life care, if needed; better able to assess treatment options if you know how they may impact your survival; you'll have the opportunity to alter the pace at which you move through treatments and make decisions; you'll have additional information that may help you avoid treatments that could lead to greater and/or extended pain, suffering, time in the hospital, or a reduced life expectancy
• Cons: potential for added stress, fear, grief, anxiety, or sadness; you may decide that the "fight is not worth it" and choose to discontinue treatment; broken spirit; may choose not to engage in planning for future events, vacations, plans, etc. 

Not Knowing: Some Pros & Cons

• Pros: able to hold on to hope and optimism; allow you to take things one day at a time; not feel like your days are numbered
• Cons: making decisions without complete information; living with false hope or unrealistic expectations about your condition and how effective treatments will be; untimely, rushed, or lack of planning for end-of-life which can lead to substantial stress, pain, suffering that may have been avoidable

How to ask for a prognosis if your doctor is hesitant to give you one:

• “All I want to know is, in your experience as an oncologist treating Stage (X) patients like me with (X) cancer, what is a realistic prognosis for me?”
• “I need to know what the data says for a patient in my situation so I can plan for my future.”
• “You use data and statistics to determine treatment plans. I know the data exists for survival as well. What does it say for someone like me?”
• “Please, just be real with me. Tell me what you know about my condition so I can digest it for myself. I can handle it.”

A prognosis can be a crucial factor in making treatment decisions as it may provide guidance and/or affect the speed of your cancer treatment. However, it is an emotionally challenging conversation for both patients and physicians, and while it can be a good idea to know this information, it’s your right to choose not to know. 

You can access more information on prognoses and cancer outcome prediction calculators in the Resources section at the bottom of the page. 

1.  Andrew S. Epstein et al., Discussions of Life Expectancy and Changes in Illness Understanding in Patients With Advanced Cancer. JCO 34, 2398-2403(2016). DOI:10.1200/JCO.2015.63.6696 

Check out our Cancer Navigation Roadmap below for an overview of what may lie ahead and what you can be tackling at different points along the cancer care continuum. You can also download a PDF version of the Cancer Navigation Roadmap with a companion checklist in the Education Shop. 

Relationship dynamics can change following a cancer diagnosis. Fear, guilt, uncertainty, and stress can erode relationships, yet all those emotions can also pull people more closely together. Gathering a dedicated support system will be a critical part of your journey. Early on, you may experience what’s called a “cancer rally” in which friends, family, and acquaintances rally around you with support, favors, gifts, and loving words. This can be both lovely and overwhelming. Lean on your caregiver to run interference or set up a schedule of visitors so you have ample time to rest and focus on your health.  

There is often a slow transition from the cancer rally to “cancer ghosting” as you move forward with treatment. People you rely upon or hold dear may become distant, check in less often, or disappear altogether. This change is ultimately about them and not you, but it’s natural to feel personally slighted or abandoned if this occurs. 

Here are a few possible explanations as to why some people may become distant: 

• people may pull away out of fear of losing you 
• people may not want to face their own mortality and your diagnosis can bring their mortality into focus 
• people may pull away because your cancer reminds them of a loved one who passed from cancer and it’s too emotionally heavy 
• people may pull away because they don’t know what to say or do to help you 
• people may pull away because they mistakenly think you’re in remission, or cured, or “done with that”

On a more positive note, people you least expect or who you may not be as close with may step up in extraordinary ways to support you, which is a beautiful surprise in an otherwise not-so-pretty stretch of time. 

This is a personal decision, and you should be the one who determines who knows, when they know, and how and what is shared with them about your personal health. 

Tell close friends and family only?

Announce it on Facebook?

Hold it close until later?

Share openly when the subject arises?

You can do it, or not do it, however you want. If you share, you’ll likely have more supporters and you may motivate others to get screened for cancer or to schedule that doctors appointment they keep putting off. If you keep it quieter, you’ll have fewer Nosey Nellies, less unsolicited advice, and less of an obligation to keep everyone updated on your journey.  

One aspect of sharing your diagnosis that can be especially challenging is the pressure of having to be aware of and manage other people's reactions to YOUR cancer, often when you're still wrestling with your own reaction and emotions. As loving, nurturing, and empathetic as you may be, it is not your responsibility to carry that weight. Adults need to be responsible for their own feelings and should direct their needs for comfort, reassurance, hope, and understanding to someone else, anyone other than the patient.  

“He rejected outright the added burden of trying to put others at ease. 'Az, I cannot begin to describe to you the psychic energy I have to invest just to carry on with business as usual given the dizzying turn of events I am facing on a daily basis. I don’t have energy left over to be concerned with how others are handling my illness. Even my own children. I want to, but cancer is draining in more ways than I imagined. You can talk to them if you want to, but I honestly can’t.'”  -Azra Raza, MD in The First Cell with a quote from her late husband, Harvey Preisler, also an oncologist

There is a resource collection at the bottom of the page with advice for sharing your cancer diagnosis with others and avenues to share your cancer story more widely. 

Everything that needs to be done on a regular basis to run your home will still need to be accomplished throughout treatment, and this can be overwhelming to manage. Dishes, laundry, childcare, pet care, running errands, meal prep, lawn care, deep cleaning, paying bills, going to work/earning income, etc. Sit down with your partner, spouse, or caregiver to discuss which of these responsibilities you’d like to keep, and which ones you need to delegate to them or other family and friends who are able (and willing) to assist to keep your life running smoothly. These changes are likely temporary, and once you have a few treatments under your belt you’ll be better able to determine how you will feel and what you can reasonably tackle on your own. 

Ask for and accept help. Do not feel guilty. Your family and friends want to help you. Focus on your healing.  

Everyone has their own opinion on what’s best for you. Some of these opinions may be bolstered by the person's education, experience, or the trust you have in them. Other opinions may be based on misconceptions, personal fears or preferences, or lack of understanding. And there are usually a few opinions based on some cancer “guru’s” anecdotal guidance or a “miracle” plan, product, or supplement. “If it worked for my neighbor’s cousin’s father-in-law, it will work for you!” Not the case. 

Choose the person or people who you welcome to participate in treatment decision-making and thank everyone else for their input. If tension continues, you can talk it out with that person to understand their point of view, you can disengage, you can choose not to discuss cancer treatment with that person, or you can ask them kindly to support the decision you made and to stop trying to change your mind. Suggestion Box has been closed. 

You do not have to defend your choices. It’s your body and your life. You choose what’s best. That being said, if you’re experiencing abuse, neglect, isolation, or your autonomy is being stripped away at the hands of a loved one, please seek help. Our Resources page has a list of organizations that are ready and willing to help you discreetly, affordably, and quickly.  

You deserve to know if there is something else out there that may help you. You deserve to know if your doctor is on the right track for you. You deserve consensus. You deserve access to the full library of cancer knowledge and how it may impact your care, your treatment options, and your survival. You deserve that peace of mind. It’s not about distrust, inviting conflict, or pitting one medical professional against another. It’s about inviting a bit more information into your mind so you can move forward without regret or wondering “what if?” 

We may not be shopping around to find the most affordable oncology care, but we should be shopping around for a doctor who is the right fit and to find agreement on your diagnosis and treatment options. Gather consensus for peace of mind. Scientists do it. Doctors do it. You can do it, too. You can gather consensus as you move through your cancer journey by seeking multiple opinions, asking questions, pursuing additional & more detailed information, and keeping an open mind.  

• to access additional medical expertise and insight
• to learn new information about your specific cancer and available therapies
• for you to take an active, participatory role in your cancer care
• to learn about treatment options you're not aware of (maybe it's brand-new, uncommonly used, outside of standard of care recommendations, etc.)
• to discover you are eligible for a treatment for which you previously believed you were not (perhaps your status changed, you found a doctor with a different level of experience/confidence, a doctor who has greater access to technology, equipment, staff, etc.)
• get more eyeballs on your medical situation and more brains generating solutions
• to find peace of mind in knowing your treatment decisions have the support of multiple oncologists/surgeons/radiologists
• to know that you did your homework and didn't leave anything on the table; all possibilities were explored and considered
• to change the trajectory of your cancer journey

• a reflection of the trust you have in your current oncologist/surgeon/radiologist
• a decision to leave your doctor or transfer to a new doctor
• something you have to move forward with after your meeting
• something you have to divulge to your current doctor (just make sure you have and can pass along all of your relevant medical records, test results, reports, and disks of the actual scan images)

Once you've decided to seek a second opinion, as a first step, call your health insurance company to make sure second-opinion consultations are covered and what it will cost you out-of-pocket. If you don't have a recent list of in-network oncologists, ask your insurance company to email one to you. 

If you don't have any local or nearby oncologists you're comfortable seeing for a second opinion, take a look at the major cancer centers throughout the U.S.. Most offer virtual second opinions so you can take advantage of the expertise without having to travel. 

• Here's a link to the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Find an NCI-Designated Cancer Center directory. On this list you'll find Mayo Clinic, City of Hope, Moffitt Cancer Center, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center (Northwestern), Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Duke Cancer Institute, University of Virginia Cancer Center, Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington, and many others. 

To secure an appointment for your second opinion, you can call, email, or fill out an online form through the cancer center or provider's website. If you choose to request a consultation by email or form, you can prepare a brief overview of your situation to get the doctor up to speed on what's going on and what you need.  You can use the following imaginary patient overview as a template, just be sure to include your own information. Also, do not include your social security number or any payment details when emailing or messaging a medical practice for an appointment. 

SAMPLE TEMPLATE 

___________________________________________________________________

Case Summary:

I’m a/an (age) year-old (gender) in (good, fair, poor) health with (NO or list other conditions) comorbidities, living in (city, state). I was diagnosed with Stage (#) (cancer type) with (NO or # of) metastases in (organs/areas of the body) in (month, year). I’m interested in getting a second opinion on the treatment plan I should pursue moving forward. Please let me know if you are willing to review my case and discuss any feasible treatment options. I’m happy to send/release medical records if we move forward.

Here is an overview of my cancer journey thus far:

• Stage: (e.g. Stage 4a; AJCC TNM Stage: pT4a N2b M1 (14/17 lymph nodes were positive))
• Mutations: (e.g. Wildtype for KRAS and BRAF; mutations identified TP53, CHEK2, APC (2 variants) and TCF7L2)
• (type of surgery, if any) performed on (exact date)
• Completed (number of) cycles of (specific chemotherapy or radiation treatments) between (start date) and (end date). 
• Response to therapy: (e.g. resulted in 70% reduction of one lesion (from 4 to 1 cm) and the 2nd lesion was not visible on imaging.)
• Completed (number of) cycles of (targeted therapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, etc.) between (start date) and (end date).
• Response to therapy: 
• Next line of treatments given, if any, and the cancer's response to the treatment:
• Any other pertinent information:
• The problem I'm facing/what I need: (I'm hoping to be operable, I want to see if there are other treatments out there for me, I want to get your opinion on the treatments I've had so far and where you think we should go from here, etc.) 

Thank you for your time and consideration.

_______________________________________________________________

You certainly don't have to send this detailed of an overview; it's not necessary, but it can be helpful to provide something similar when scheduling a 2nd opinion appointment. 

You'll likely hear back from them to schedule an appointment within 2 or 3 business days, maybe a bit longer, but don't let it stretch out beyond 7-10 days before you follow up with them. Hopefully, you're able to secure an appointment within the next few weeks. If they don't have anything available as soon as you'd like, ask to be put on a "standby, last-minute cancellations" list. 

In advance of your appointment, they will request your medical records. Here are a few things to keep in mind when your protected health information is being accessed:

• You will need to sign a new Health Information Release/HIPAA form, etc. to give them permission to access medical records from your doctor.
• If you do not want your current doctor to know you are seeking a second opinion, request all of your medical records in advance, including the physical disks with your actual scan images. You may need to contact radiology directly for the disks. 
• If you mail any of your records, please send them certified with a signature required at delivery, tracking, and any appropriate insurance. Sending sensitive personal information through snail mail with a First-Class stamp will not provide the same privacy protection. 

Prepare for your second-opinion consultation the same way you would when meeting an oncologist/surgeon/radiologist for the first time. 

Here are two articles you may find helpful: 

1. The Critical Importance of a Second Opinion from City of Hope
2. Getting a Second Opinion After a Cancer Diagnosis: 9 Things to Know from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

• Can you please give me an overview of my situation from your perspective?
• Are there any aspects of my staging, diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment plan with which you have a different opinion?
• Are there any tests, labs, or scans you recommend I receive?
• What additional information do you need to gather or assess before you feel comfortable making treatment recommendations?
• Are there any characteristics of my cancer that are unique, aggressive, or hard to treat? What are they and can you explain them to me please?
• What treatment plan do you feel is best for me right now? Why?
• Is the treatment plan you're recommending curative (intending to cure the cancer) or palliative (intended to control/manage cancer)?
• What 2nd and 3rd-line treatment options exist for me if this treatment plan is not successful?
• What are the likely side effects with this treatment plan? What are the possible long-term and late-onset side effects? What are the biggest risks I'm facing if I choose this treatment plan?
• What is the likelihood of success with this treatment plan? What are the average response rates for patients like me? What impact does this treatment plan typically have on overall survival for patients like me? (Does it add weeks, months, years to my life?)
• Am I a candidate for surgery? If not, why? Can I become operable later? What would need to happen for me to become operable? (Direct this question to a surgeon)
• Am I a candidate for radiation therapy? If not, why? Will radiation be an option for me later? (Direct this question to a radiation oncologist/interventional radiologist)
• Am I a candidate for immunotherapy? Why or why not? If not, can I become eligible for immunotherapy down the road if something changes? (Direct this question to a medical oncologist)
• Am I a candidate for targeted therapy? Why or why not? If not, can I become eligible for targeted therapy at a later date? (Direct this question to a medical oncologist)
• Am I a candidate for any clinical trials? Which ones? Can you tell me more about them?
• What do you think would be beneficial for me to know more about or better understand? Where can I learn more or who is the best source of this information?
• What other specialists/professionals do you recommend I meet with? (surgeon, radiation oncologist, dietician, physical therapist, medical social worker, etc.)