That's a good list, Alicia

On the surgery,

Ask about the margins on the primary - that will tell if they got all the obvious disease or not. If they are 'wide' that that's good - space between the cancer and healthy tissue. If they were 'close' - they were too close for comfort.

On the lymph nodes, ask about extracapular extension, or if all nodes were enscapsulated.

On the radiotherapy, ask about:

The number of Gy (grays) to the various areas.
The number of sessions
How are missed sessions made up
Music or anti-anxiety drugs during sessions

On the chemo:
If cisplatin or other platinum base therapy is offered, ask about a baseline hearing test.
If cisplatin is offered, if they suggest the 2 or 3 big doses, ask if weekly cisplatin or carboplatin would work just as well.

Ask about a feeding tube.

Best of luck!
Maria

Last edited by Maria; 07-27-2012 03:06 PM.

CG to husband - SCC Tonsil T1N2M0 HPV+ Never Smoker
First symptoms 7/2010, DX 12/2010
TX 40 IRMT (1.8 gy) + 10 Cetuximab
PET Scans 6/2011 + 3/2012 clear, 5 year physical exam clear; chest CT's clear of cancer. On thyroid pills. Life is good.