Best Questions for Oncologist

brithael

Just diagnosed and I have a meeting with an oncologist on Wednesday. I am er+/pr+ and HER2-, but I had a biopsy on a swollen lymph node which was positive for metastatic with breast primary. What questions do I need to ask?

Jinx27

Im sorry your here but this forum is what helped me last month when I was diagnosed,

I was just diagnosed and am narrowing down on choosing a team and treatment plan.

What was useful for me....

Genetic testing and how it can help the oncologist determine a plan of action

Benefits of chemo before surgery

Benefits of surgery then chemo

Size of mass and it's relation to the stage

Oncotype DX ( I think this test is done after excision of the entire mass)

What treatment is recommended for someone of your age and the type of cancer you have (hormone receptive)

Do you want children ? Egg harvesting or protecting your ovaries during treatment

Moderators

Hi brithael. Hope this page helps too: Breast Cancer 101, designed to help those newly diagnosed sort through all of the information on our site to find what is more relevant right now.

Let us know how it goes tomorrow!

The Mods

brithael

Thanks for your help. I am amassing questions to take with me tomorrow. This is a long road.

Trvler

What else do you know about your cancer? How big is your primary tumor and what is the type of cancer? How old are you and are you pre or post menopausal?

Metta

Good luck tomorrow. I'm sorry you are starting down this road. Most likely you will go straight to chemo. If you're node-positive (as I was a year ago), there is no need to do the Oncotype Dx test. More and more oncologists are doing neoadjuvant chemo, or chemo before surgery. Chemo before surgery is best because it can shrink the tumor so you can possibly have breast-conserving surgery (a lumpectomy). If your tumor doesn't shrink, they can try other chemo drugs. But most importantly, chemo before surgery treats the whole body as soon as possible--to kill any rogue cells that are trying to set up shop in your liver, bones, lungs, or brain.

One question I would add to your list is whether or not your tumor was sent to a FISH lab. My MO told me that 10 percent of women are HER2+ but aren't diagnosed correctly, which is a real shame because Herceptin/Perjeta are great weapons. There is even a trial underway now testing H/P on women who are just barely HER2+.

We are all here for you. Let us know how it goes.

brithael

Trvler -my primary tumor is 1.5 cm, grade 3 is all I know at this point besides the er+/pr+ HER2-. I am 66 years old, definitely post-menopausal as I had a hysterectomy at age 49. I did take HRT after the hysterectomy for about 8 years. Metta - I'm waiting on the FISH test results. Learning more everyday.

dismay15

I'm sorry brithael - Hopefully you will get all the information you need to make the decisions that are right for you.. Not sure where you are with respect to a second opinion on your treatment plan, but after diagnosis, one of the questions I asked the oncologist (found it on a google search) was where they would go to seek treatment if they were diagnosed as I was.

Trvler

I would ask about an MRI. They will likely want to do one. Sometimes the mammogram and/us don't accurately portray the tumor. I was told I had a 2.9 cm tumor and then the MRI said it was closer to 4.5 with possible positive lymph nodes. But also, the TYPE of cancer is important, although a couple of the doctors I initially saw dismissed it. For example, I had ILC as opposed to IDC. ILC can be harder to detect so for me. A LX wouldn't have gotten the original tumor(s). It was also multifocal meaning I had it in a few locations. The original facility, quite frankly, did a terrible job of diagnosing me. The second opinion place wanted more imaging and biopsies in the same breast. I thought, what's the point. But they found more cancer leading me to my decision to have a mx.

SpecialK

This question may seem premature, but I would also ask how you will be followed post-treatment. Some patients are disappointed to learn that their oncologists do not do any blood tests or scanning on any kind of regular basis after you have finished treatment, and they are upset to learn this at that time. It might be good to know in advance whether this doc does tumor markers, or routine scans - what type, and how frequently.

kcat2013

brithael, I would pay close attention to the nurses at the onc's office. Such as how attentive, kind, and professional do they appear to be when working with patients. Having great nurses while going through treatment was hugely helpful to me. You spend alot of time under the care of the onc's nursing staff.

Kendra

momand2kids

question to ask" If I was your sister/mother, what would you recommend I do?"

brithael

All you guys are the best. I have a whole sheaf of questions for tomorrow. Keep 'em coming!

brithael

I impressed my oncologist with my knowledge and questions - mostly gained from this website. I'm now scheduled for a bone scan and CT scan before I meet with my surgeon and 2nd opinion surgeon. He seemed to think that lumpectomy, chemo, radiation and hormone therapy would probably work best for me. We'll see what the surgeons say next week. Should have a plan by the end of next week.