QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR MEDICAL ONCOLOGIST
If you need drug therapy for melanoma treatment, there are questions you may want to ask your medical oncologist:
General
- What is targeted therapy? What is topical medication? What is immunotherapy?
- What clinical trials are available to me? Where are they located, and how do I find out more about them?
- How will each treatment option benefit me? What are the risks?
- What is the expected timeline for each treatment option?
- What treatment plan do you recommend for me? Why?
- When do I need to make a decision about starting additional treatment?
- What is my prognosis?
- What can I do to get ready for this treatment?
- How long will each treatment take? Should I bring someone with me?
- How will this treatment affect my daily life? Will I be able to work, exercise, and perform my usual activities?
- What lifestyle changes should I consider making during my treatment?
- Do you recommend any nutritional supplements or changes to my diet?
- Can I take herbal supplements during my treatment? Is there any risk?
- Will insurance pay for topical medication or targeted therapy? If not, do you know of any assistance to help cover the costs?
Topical medication
- Why do I need topical medication?
- What types of topical medication is available for my skin cancer?
- What are the risks of topical medication?
- If I need topical medication for my skin cancer, do I need more than one? If so, why?
Targeted therapy
- How does targeted therapy treat melanoma?
- Do I need targeted therapy? If so, why?
- When should I start targeted therapy? How long will I take it?
- How do I take it? How often?
- Is there a generic form of this targeted treatment? Is it as effective as the name brand?
Immunotherapy
- Do I need immunotherapy? If so, why?
- How does immunotherapy treat melanoma?
- What types of immunotherapy are available for melanoma?
- When should I start immunotherapy? How long will I take it?
- How do I take it? How often?
- Are there any risks?
- Is there a generic form of this targeted treatment? Is it as effective as the name brand?
Side effects
- What are the possible side effects? How long are they likely to last? What are the long-term risks?
- What can I do to ease side effects? Are there medications I can take to prevent or treat side effects?
- Are there any integrative and complementary therapies that may help me cope with side effects?
- Which side effects should I report to you?
Sex and fertility
- Will this treatment affect my sex life? If so, how and for how long? Is there anything I can do to prevent or treat these effects?
- Will this treatment affect my ability to have children (fertility)? Should I talk with a fertility specialist before treatment begins? Are there other treatments available that do not pose as high a risk to my fertility but are equally effective?
- Can I become pregnant while receiving drug therapy? What happens if I become pregnant during treatment? Is there a risk of birth defects and/or harm to the fetus and/or to me?
- How long should I wait after cancer treatment before trying to have a child?
For confidential help with your health care questions, contact the Stanford Health Library. Professional medical librarians and trained volunteers, access journals, books, e-books, databases, and videos to learn more about medical conditions, treatment options, and related issues.
- 875 Blake Wilbur, Palo Alto: 1st floor near the cafe, 650-736-1960
- South Bay Cancer Center: 3rd floor lobby, 408-353-0197
- Email us your questions: healthlibrary@stanfordhealthcare.org
Published April 2018
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