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Making an Appointment
Kelly Scheu, RN and David D'Adamo, MD
Kelly Scheu, RN and David D'Adamo, MD

Making a list of your questions before seeing a doctor can be of great help to you.

Treatment for soft tissue sarcoma can include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. These therapies may be delivered alone or in combination.

Many people find it helpful to make a list of their questions before they see the doctor. Taking notes can make it easier to remember what the doctor says. Some patients find that it also helps to have a family member or friend with them when they talk with the doctor -- either to take part in the discussion or just to listen.

Here are some important questions to ask the doctor:

  • What type of treatment will I receive?
  • What are the expected benefits of treatment?
  • What are the risks and possible side effects of treatment?
  • What can be done to help manage the side effects?
  • Would a clinical trial be appropriate for me?
  • Will I need to change my normal activities? If so, for how long?
  • How often will I need to have checkups?

Sometimes, physicians present a range of treatment options and ask the patient to choose how they would like to proceed. Patients and caregivers may feel overwhelmed and may not feel qualified to make treatment decisions. You may want to talk with a second doctor to review the treatment plan. There are several ways to find a second doctor to consult:

Cancer-Related Resources
Cancer-Related Resources
Informative and helpful resources on other Web sites for cancer patients and their caregivers

  • The patient's doctor may be able to suggest a doctor who specializes in treating sarcoma.
  • The National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (1-800-4-CANCER) can tell callers about cancer centers and other NCI-supported programs in their area.
  • Patients can get the names of specialists from a local medical society, nearby hospital or cancer center, or a medical school.
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