A head and neck cancer consultation can be overwhelming. You may leave feeling like you didn't ask half the things you wanted to. This checklist is designed to help — bring it to your next appointment and work through it with your surgeon.
Tip
Bring a family member or friend to take notes. It is very difficult to absorb complex medical information when you are anxious — a second pair of ears helps enormously.
About Your Diagnosis
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What exactly is my diagnosis — what type and subtype of cancer do I have??
What stage is it? What does that mean for my treatment and prognosis??
Has it spread to lymph nodes or anywhere else??
What additional tests or scans do I need before treatment starts??
How quickly do I need to start treatment?
About Surgery
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What operation are you recommending, and why??
What are the alternatives to surgery — radiation, TORS, other options??
Will I need reconstruction? What does that involve??
How long will the operation take and how long will I be in hospital??
How many of these operations have you performed??
What is your complication rate for this procedure??
Will I need a tracheostomy or feeding tube, and will it be temporary or permanent?
About Function & Appearance
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How will my speech be affected??
How will my swallowing be affected??
Will my appearance change? What will I look like after surgery??
Will I be able to eat normally eventually??
What rehabilitation will I need — speech therapy, physiotherapy, dietician?
About Recovery
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What will the first few days after surgery be like??
How long before I can return to normal activities and work??
What support will I need at home after discharge??
What are the warning signs that I should come back urgently?
About Further Treatment
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Will I need radiation or chemotherapy after surgery??
How soon after surgery would that start??
What are the side effects of radiation to this area??
Will the cancer come back? What are the chances??
How will I be followed up and for how long?
Practical Questions
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How much will treatment cost and what does it include??
Can I get a second opinion and will that delay my treatment??
Who do I contact if I have concerns between appointments??
Is there a patient support group or counsellor I can speak to?
Remember
There are no stupid questions. You are entitled to understand everything about your treatment before you consent. A good surgeon will welcome these questions and answer them clearly.
Ready to Consult a Specialist?
Dr. Narayana sees patients within 48–72 hours. WhatsApp your reports for a preliminary opinion first.
WhatsApp +91 9150000542