Questions to Ask About Esophageal Cancer

It’s important for you to have honest, open discussions with your cancer care team. They want to answer all your questions, so that you can make informed treatment and life decisions. For instance, consider these questions:

When you’re told you have esophageal cancer

• What kind of esophageal cancer do I have?
• Where is the cancer located?
• Has the cancer spread beyond where it started?
• What is the cancer’s stage (extent), and what does that mean?
• Will I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
• Should the cancer be checked for gene changes that could help you choose my treatment options?
• Do I need to see any other doctors or health professionals?
• If I’m concerned about the costs and insurance coverage for my diagnosis and treatment, who can help me?

When deciding on a treatment plan

• What are my treatment options?
• What do you recommend and why?
• How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
• Should I get a second opinion? How do I do that? Can you recommend someone?
• What is the goal of the treatment?
• How quickly do I need to decide on treatment?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will my treatment be done?
• What risks or side effects are there to the treatments you suggest? Are there things I can do to reduce these side effects?
• Will I need a feeding tube during treatment to help with nutrition?
• How might treatment affect my daily activities? Can I still work full time?
• What are the chances the cancer will recur (come back) with these treatment plans?
• What will we do if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer recurs?
• What if I have trouble getting to and from my treatments because of transportation problems?

During treatment

Once treatment begins, you’ll need to know what to expect and what to look for. Not all of these questions may apply to you, but asking the ones that do may be helpful.

• How will we know if the treatment is working?
• Is there anything I can do to help manage side effects?
• What symptoms or side effects should I tell you about right away?
• How can I reach you on nights, holidays, or weekends?
• Do I need to change what I eat during treatment?
• Are there any limits on what I can do?
• Can I exercise during treatment? If so, what kind of exercise should I do, and how often?
• Can you suggest a mental health professional I can see if I start to feel overwhelmed, depressed, or distressed?
• What if I need some social support during treatment because my family lives far away?

After treatment

• Do I need a special diet after treatment? Should I eat smaller, more frequent meals from now on?
• Do I need to take certain vitamins after treatment?
• Are there any limits on what I can do?
• What symptoms should I watch for?
• What kind of exercise should I do now?
• What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?
• How often will I need to have follow-up endoscopy and imaging tests?
• Will I need any blood tests?
• How will we know if the cancer has come back? What should I watch for?

Along with these sample questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For instance, you might want more information about recovery times so you can plan your work or activity schedule. You might also want to ask if you qualify for a clinical trial.

Doctors are not the only ones who can give you information. Other health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, can also answer some of your questions. You can find more information about speaking with your health care team in The Doctor-Patient Relationship.