Ewing Sarcoma: Treatment Questions

Talking with healthcare providers about cancer can be overwhelming. It can be hard to take in all of the information. It helps to be prepared. Make a list of questions and bring them to your appointments. Write the answers down in a notebook. Make sure you ask how the treatment might change your daily life. Ask how successful the treatment is expected to be, and what the risks and possible side effects are. You may also want to ask a friend or family member to go with you. He or she can take notes and write down the answers, and also ask questions you may not think of. You can also ask your healthcare provider if you can record the conversation.

Below are some questions to ask during your appointments. Not all of these might apply to your situation, but asking the questions that do apply can help you get a better idea of what to expect.

Deciding on a treatment

• Do we need any more tests before we decide on treatment?

• What are our treatment options? 

• What treatment do you think is best? Why?

• What are the goals of treatment?

• What is the success rate of this treatment?

• How much experience do you have treating cancers like this?

• Should we get a second opinion? 

• Are there any clinical trials we should look into?

Getting ready for treatment

• How soon do we need to start treatment?

• How long will each treatment take?

• Where do we have to go for the treatment?

• Who will give the treatment?

• How long will my child be in treatment?

Coping during treatment

• How will we know if treatment is working?

• How will my child feel during and after the treatment?

• Will my child be able to go to school and be around family during treatment?

• What side effects can we expect?

• How long are side effects likely to last?

• Will treatment affect how my child looks, or how active he/she can be?

• What side effects do we need to call you about?

• What can we do to ease the side effects?

• Are there support groups nearby that we can join?

After treatment

• What type of follow-up will we need after treatment?

• Will my child need any type of rehabilitation therapy after treatment? 

• How will we know if treatment worked?

• What are our options if the treatment doesn't work or the cancer comes back?

Making a decision

When you have answers from your healthcare provider, it’s time to think about your preferences. Talk about all of your concerns with your healthcare provider before making a decision about treatment.