Questions to Ask About Testicular Cancer

As you deal with testicular cancer and the process of treatment, you need to be able to have honest, open discussions with your cancer care team. Ask any question, no matter how small it might seem. Among those you might want to ask are:

• What kind of testicular cancer do I have?
• Has the cancer spread beyond my testicle?
• What is the stage of my cancer? What does this mean for me?
• Will I need other tests before we can decide on treatment?
• Will I need to see other doctors?
• How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
• What are my treatment choices? What do you recommend? Why?
• Do I need a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection? If so, how many have you done?
• What should I do to be ready for treatment?
• How long will treatment last? What will it be like? Where will it be done?
• What risks or possible side effects can I expect from my treatment?
• How long will it take me to recover from treatment?
• How soon after treatment can I have sex?
• What are the chances I will become infertile? Should I bank sperm?
• What are the chances that the cancer will come back? What will we do if that happens?
• Does one type of treatment reduce the risk of recurrence (cancer coming back) more than another?
• Should I get a second opinion before I start treatment, and when would a second opinion be helpful to me?
• What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?

Along with these examples, be sure to write down some of your own. For instance, you might want to ask about clinical trials for which you may qualify. Keep in mind, too, that doctors are not the only ones who can give you information. Other health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, may have the answers to your questions. You can learn more about communicating with your health care team in The Doctor-Patient Relationship.