At Your Appointment

Chemotherapy Appointment Guide

Ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment. Answer two questions below to personalize your appointment guide.
  • Please describe the symptoms and issues you’re having that led you to schedule this online appointment. Start at the beginning of this current episode and tell me how and when things have changed and progressed.
  • How are you feeling in general?
  • Are you having pain? If so, can you describe it and rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst.
  • What side effects are you experiencing? Are you having trouble with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or mouth sores?
  • Have you had a fever or chills?
  • How would you rate your level of fatigue? None, mild, moderate or severe?
  • Are you able to continue working and staying involved in your activities?
  • Have you ever had chemotherapy before?
  • Do you have any other medical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes?
  • Do you have a health history of liver or kidney problems?
  • What medicines, including supplements, do you take?
  • How aggressive do you want to be in treating your cancer? What is your goal?
  • Are you interested in participating in a clinical trial, or learning more information on clinical trials?
  • What is the biggest change you have noticed since starting chemotherapy?
  • What is chemotherapy and how does it work?
  • Which specific chemotherapy drugs are you recommending and how are they given?
  • When should I start chemotherapy and how many cycles will I need?
  • Where will I go for my chemotherapy treatments? How long will each treatment take?
  • What types of side effects (short-and long-term) might I experience with this regimen? Are there ways to prevent or treat these side effects?
  • What is the success rate of this regimen with my type of cancer?
  • What other treatment alternatives are available?
  • How will we know if my chemotherapy regimen is working or if it needs to be changed?
  • How can I best prepare before my next chemotherapy treatment?
  • Can I continue to work, exercise, and be active? How much rest do I need?
  • Can I take my regular medicines, have caffeine, or drink alcohol during my chemotherapy treatments?
  • What is our plan if my chemotherapy regimen does not meet our treatment goals?
  • Would a different chemotherapy regimen be better for me?
  • Are my new symptoms related to my chemotherapy regimen?
  • What is the best chemotherapy regimen for my specific type and stage of cancer?
  • Are there other cancer treatments I should consider for my specific type and stage of cancer?
  • How do you choose my chemotherapy regimen?
  • What is your biggest concern about chemotherapy?
  • What new symptoms are you experiencing?
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Last Review Date: 2018 Sep 20
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
  1. Chemotherapy. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemotherapy/about/pac-20385033
  2. Chemotherapy to Treat Cancer. National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/chemotherapy
  3. How Is Chemotherapy Used to Treat Cancer? American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/chemotherapy/how-is-che...
  4. Tools to Monitor Treatment. American Cancer Society. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/tools-to-monitor-treatment.html