Treatment Planning

Quick Overview

Treatment planning aligns three things: your goals, the medical reality, and the timing. You don’t have to decide everything at once—just the next right step.

Options & Goals

• Clarify goals: cure, control, or comfort—what are we aiming for right now?
• List options discussed (surgery, chemo, immunotherapy, radiation, watchful waiting).
• Know the intent and evidence behind each option.

Prepare for Consults

• Bring a support person; ask if you may record the visit.
• Carry your med list, allergies, and recent reports/imaging links.
• Write top 3 questions you must leave with answered.

Side Effects & Tracking

Track symptoms daily (0–10 scale), temperature, weight, and any new issues. Call your team for fevers, uncontrolled pain, inability to keep fluids, or rapid changes.

Second Opinions & Tumor Boards

Second opinions are routine. Ask if your case can be reviewed at a multidisciplinary tumor board. Request copies of any recommendations.

Timeline & Decisions

• What must happen this week vs. what can wait?
• Which pre-op or pre-treatment tests are required?
• When is the first treatment date if we choose Option A vs. B?

Questions to Ask

• What is the purpose of this treatment and how will we measure success?
• What are common and serious side effects? What’s the plan to manage them?
• Are there clinical trials I should consider now?
• What happens if we wait two weeks? Four weeks?

Practical Tools

• Appointment notes template
• Symptom & medication tracker
• Questions for surgeon/oncologist printable