Questions for your doctor
Here are some questions to ask your doctor to learn more about brain and spinal cord tumours, and your care and treatment options. If your doctor gives you answers that you don’t understand, ask for clarification.
- What type of brain or spinal cord tumour do I have? Is it benign or malignant?
- How extensive is the tumour? What grade is it?
- What treatment do you recommend and why? Are there other treatment choices for me? If not, why not?
- What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment? Is there anything I should watch out for?
- How long will treatment take? Will I have to stay in hospital?
- How much will treatment cost? How can the cost be reduced?
- Will I have a lot of pain with the treatment? What will be done about this?
- Are the latest tests and treatments for this type of cancer available in this hospital?
- Are there any clinical trials or research studies I could join?
- How frequently will I need check-ups after treatment? Who should I go to for these appointments?
- Are there any complementary therapies that might help me?
- Should I change my diet during or after treatment?
- If the cancer comes back, how will I know?
This information was last reviewed in May 2016
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