Care planning · 5 min read
Questions to ask your oncologist
Good questions can help you understand your diagnosis, treatment goal, options, side effects, logistics, and when to call for help.
Written by OncosAI Editorial Team · Editorial review 2026-07-04
Key takeaways
- Start with diagnosis, stage, and treatment goal.
- Ask what options exist and why one plan is recommended.
- Ask which side effects are common and which are urgent.
- Bring a written list and consider taking notes or bringing someone with you.
Diagnosis questions
- What exact type of cancer do I have?
- What is the stage, and what does that mean for this cancer?
- Has it spread to lymph nodes or other parts of the body?
- Do we need more imaging, biopsy testing, or biomarker results?
Treatment questions
- What is the goal of treatment: cure, control, symptom relief, or lower recurrence risk?
- What are all reasonable treatment options?
- Why do you recommend this plan?
- What benefits are realistic, and what uncertainties remain?
- Are clinical trials worth considering now?
Safety and logistics questions
- What side effects are common?
- Which symptoms mean I should call immediately or go to urgent care?
- How often will I come in, and how long will each visit take?
- How will treatment affect work, caregiving, fertility, sex, eating, or daily routines?
- Who do I contact after hours?
Sources
- National Cancer Institute: Questions to Ask about Your Diagnosis — NCI checklist of diagnosis and staging questions for clinicians.
- UCSF Health: Questions to Ask Your Cancer Doctor — Patient checklist for treatment and prognosis discussions.
This guide is educational and does not replace advice from your oncology care team.