Best Questions for Oncologist

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

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.

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.

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.

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