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.

Published April 2018 

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