Avvo.com - Doctors. Lawyers. Ratings. Answers.

Expert Advice When You Need It Most

  • Sign in with: Facebook Twitter Google Linkedin
  • Sign in
  • Register
  • Are you a Doctor?
  • LEGAL
  • HEALTH
  • Research Health Advice
  • Ask a Doctor or Dentist
  • Find a Doctor
  • Find a Dentist
  • Write a Review
Health Advice
  • Lawyers
  • Doctors
  • Dentists
  • Legal Advice
  • Health Advice
Home  >  Health  >  Research Health Advice  >  Ten Questions to ask Your Doctor after a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Jonathan Lawrence Wright

Ten Questions to ask Your Doctor after a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Staff Pick

Written by: Jonathan Lawrence Wright

Contributor Level 6
Posted 7 months ago. 0 helpful votes, 0 comments
Save
Email
Share with:
Tweet
When meeting with your doctor after a prostate cancer diagnosis, in general you should have a family member or a friend along to help listen. Make sure you see a urologist as well as a radiation oncologist and consider getting a second opinion. Always take notes and have these ten questions prepared to ask during your visit:

  1. What is the stage, grade and PSA levels of my cancer?

  2. What risk category am I in?

  3. Do I need additional imaging, such as a CT, MRI or a bone scan?

  4. How does my overall age and health influence my treatment options?

  5. How will the different treatments affect erection, urine and bowel function?

  6. If choosing surgery:
    • Will it be a nerve sparing operation?
    • Will it be open or robotic?
    • Will you perform lymph node dissection?
    • How often do you perform this operation?
    • What penile rehabilitation do you recommend post-surgery?
    • What are other side-effects I should be aware of?

  7. If choosing radiation:
    • What type will it be, such as brachytherapy, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or image guided radiation therapy (IGRT)?
    • How many treatments will I receive?
    • What will be my total dose for IMRT or IGRT?
    • Will my lymph nodes be treated?
    • Will I need androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT), and if so, for how long?
    • What are other side-effects I should be aware of?

  8. How often do you treat patients with radiation for prostate cancer?

  9. If choosing active surveillance, how often will I have prostate biopsies?

  10. Are there any clinical trials available for me?



0 0 Helpful Not helpful

Related Questions

What are some cancer preventative test to take for the prevention of cancer?

Asked in Texas City, TX - May 18, 2012 06:50.

  1. Alvin Bay Lin
1 doctor answer
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Mammogram
  • Melanoma
  • Prostate Cancer
  • —
  • more
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Mammogram
  • Melanoma
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer Treatment
  • Prostatitis
  • Skin Cancer
  • —
  • less

Why does he have blurry vision after a prostate operation?

Asked in Gainesville, FL - March 03, 2012 13:28.

  1. John J Kim
  2. Ron W. Pelton
  3. Jeffrey Whitman
3 doctor answers
  • Anesthesia
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Prostatitis

I had a blood test that showed a psa of 10. after a 30 day regimen of antibiotics i have a psa of 8.1 and a free psa of 10.9.

Asked in North Myrtle Beach, SC - March 28, 2012 11:55.

  1. Michael Young Han
1 doctor answer
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Prostatitis

Can't find what you're looking for? Ask a Doctor or Dentist

Get free answers from experienced doctors and dentists.

 

Ask now

 
Required
Cancel

17,296 answers this week

1,893 professionals answering

Spinner

Related Topics

Medical Conditions

  • Bladder Cancer
  • Chlamydia
  • Enlarged Prostate
  • Genital Herpes
  • Gonorrhea
  • HPV
  • Jock Itch
  • Low Testosterone
  • Penile Discharge

Tests

  • Colposcopy

Procedures & Treatments

  • BCG Bladder Treatment
  • Bladder Sling Surgery
  • Bladder Surgery
  • Chordee Correction Surgery
  • Circumcision
  • Cystocele Repair
  • Inguinal Hernia Surgery
  • Kidney Transplant
  • Laparoscopic Surgery

Drugs

  • Birth Control
Avvo Logo

Expert Advice When You Need It Most

Avvo Legal

  • Ask a Lawyer
  • Find a Lawyer
  • Free Legal Advice
  • Review a Lawyer

Avvo Health

  • Ask a Doctor or Dentist
  • Find a Doctor
  • Find a Dentist
  • Free Medical Advice
  • Review a Doctor or Dentist

For Professionals

  • For Lawyers
  • For Doctors
  • For Dentists
  • Claim Your Profile
  • For Law Firms
  • For Medical Groups
  • For Dental Groups

Company Info

  • About Us
  • Jobs
  • Avvo Blog
  • Support
  • Partner With Us

FOLLOW US ON Twitter Facebook

© 2012 Avvo, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines