Questions to ask after getting a diagnosis
- What form of meningioma am I suffering from? Is it benign or cancerous?
- What is the tumor’s grade? What exactly does this mean?
- How many patients do you treat each year who have this type of tumor?
- Do you go to expert meetings to discuss difficult tumor cases? What types of specialists attend these gatherings?
- Can you explain my pathology report, also known as laboratory test results?
- Is any more genetic testing required? Could you please describe the testing to me if that’s the case?
- Do members of my family have a higher chance of having meningioma?
- Do you have any reading materials that I could use to comprehend this disease better?
Questions to ask about choosing a treatment and managing side effects
- What alternatives do I have for treatment?
- What clinical studies are there for me to participate in? Where can I find them, and How can I learn more about them?
- What treatment plan do you suggest? Why?
- What are the objectives of each treatment? Is it to remove the tumor, to make me feel better, or both?
- When should I begin my treatment?
- Is it necessary for Me to get a second opinion?
- Where will I receive my treatment? Do you have any recommendations for brain tumor centers of excellence?
- What are the potential long-term and short-term side effects of this treatment?
- Who will be handling my overall treatment?
- What impact will this treatment have on my daily life?
- Could this treatment have an impact on my sexual life? If so, in what way and for how long?
- Is it possible for this treatment to impair my capacity to become pregnant or have children? If so, should I consult with a fertility professional before beginning treatment?
- Who can assist me if I am concerned about managing the expenditures of medical care?
- What types of assistance are accessible to me? What about my family?
- Do you collaborate with a social worker who helps people with brain tumors?
- Do you know of a support group for meningioma patients?
- When you’re not available, who takes care of the patient’s questions?
- Who should I contact if I have any queries or problems?
Questions to ask about having surgery
- What kind of operation am I going to have?
- How long will the procedure take?
- I’m not sure how long I’ll be in the hospital.
- Could you please describe my post-surgery recovery?
- Who should I contact if I have any side effects? And when will it be?
- What are the long-term consequences of undergoing this surgery?
Questions to ask about having radiation therapy or chemotherapy
- What is the main goal of the medication?
- How long will it take to administer this therapy?
- What may I expect as a side effect of the treatment?
- Who should I contact if I have any side effects? And when will it be?
- What are the long-term consequences of receiving this treatment?
- What steps can be taken to alleviate the negative effects?
Questions to ask about planning follow-up care
- What is the likelihood that the tumor will recur? Should I be on the lookout for any specific signs or symptoms?
- What long-term or late impacts are conceivable due to the treatment I received?
- What follow-up tests will I require? How frequently will those tests be needed?
- How may I obtain a treatment summary and a survivorship care plan for my records?
- Who will be in charge of my follow-up care?
- What kind of survivor support services are accessible to me? What about my family?
It is critical to talk frequently with your medical practitioner and health care team to make informed and calculative decisions regarding your health care. These recommended questions are a very good place to start learning more about your medication. You are also urged to ask any questions that concern you.
