Questions for the doctor
- What's the goal of this treatment?
- How will the radiation therapy be given? Internal or external radiation?
- Will I also need other treatment, like chemotherapy or surgery?
- If so, in what order will the different treatments be given?
- How many radiation treatments will I get? Over what period of time?
- What happens if I have to miss a treatment?
- Where will I get treatment?
- When will radiation start? When will it end?
- How will I feel during radiation?
- How long will radiation take each day?
- Will I be able to carry on my normal activities?
- Will there be limits on what I can do, such as working or exercising?
- How long does it take after the simulation scan to start treatment?
- Do I need to be on a skin care regimen during treatment?
- Can I drive myself to treatments or do I need someone to bring me?
- What are the possible short-term and long-term side effects I should watch for? What side effects should I report?
- Who do I contact for side effects? Is there a different contact number after office hours and on weekends and holidays?
- Are there late side effects I need to know about?
- How long will it take me to recover from the side effects of treatment?
- Will this treatment affect my ability to have children?
- What are the chances treatment will work?
- How will we know if it's working?
- Are there any other treatment choices we should talk about?
- What can I do to get ready for treatment and to take care of myself during treatment?
- Are there any clinical trials that I should think about?
- Does my insurance cover the treatments? Do I have a copay?
- Can I be near children or pets while getting radiation?
- Are there other types of radiation therapy that may work for my cancer?
- Does this center offer the latest technology or methods for radiation treatment?
- Have you and your team treated my kind of cancer before?
- Should I get a second opinion? Do you have someone you can recommend?
- May I use complementary or alternative therapies during radiation?
- Can I take all my usual medicines during treatment?
- Should I change my diet during radiation therapy?
- Where can I learn more about radiation therapy?
Featured in
Date Last Reviewed: 09/01/2025
© 2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare provider's instructions.
Oncology
Find a DoctorRelated Articles
Acute Myeloid Leukemia: Targeted Therapy
Targeted therapy may be used as the first treatment for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Or it may be used when chemo is not working.
Targeted Therapy for Cancer
Targeted therapy uses medicines that are aimed at the cancer cell specifically. Because of this, targeted therapy may cause fewer side effects. There are many kinds of targeted therapy medicines. They work differently on different types of cancers.
Kaposi Sarcoma: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Antiretroviral therapy is the use of medicines to treat infections with certain types of viruses, called retroviruses. This treatment is especially important for people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS.
Hyperthermia for Cancer Treatment
Heat therapy may help shrink tumors by damaging cells or depriving them of what they need to live. Research studies are underway to determine the use and effectiveness of hyperthermia in cancer treatment.
