Deciding on a treatment

• Where is the cancer? Has it spread beyond where it started?

• What kind of esophageal cancer is it?

• Do I need any more tests before we decide on treatment?

• What are my treatment choices? 

• Will I be able to eat during treatment? What will we do if I can't?

• What treatment do you think is best for me? Why?

• What are the goals of treatment?

• What is the success rate of this treatment for my type and stage of cancer?

• What are the chances that the cancer will come back after treatment?

• What is the average life expectancy for someone with my stage of cancer getting treatment?

• How much experience do you have treating cancers like mine?

• Do I need to see other kinds of healthcare providers?

• Who will be leading my overall treatment?

• Should I get a second opinion? 

• Are there any clinical trials I should look into?

Getting ready for treatment

• How soon do I need to start treatment?

• What can I do to get ready for treatment?

• What will treatment be like?

• How long will each treatment take?

• Where do I have to go for the treatment?

• Who will give me the treatment?

• Does someone need to be with me during treatments?

• Can I drive myself or take public transportation to treatment?

• Do you have someone on staff who can help me with transportation, financial concerns, or other resources?

• Can I take my other medicines during treatment?

• How long will I be in treatment?

• Will I need a feeding tube?

• Will my insurance cover treatment? How much will I have to pay?

Coping during treatment

• How will I feel during and after the treatment?

• Are there any limits on what I can do?

• Will I be able to go to work and be around my family during treatment?

• What side effects can I expect?

• How long will side effects last?

• Will there be side effects I need to call you about?

• How do I reach you at night? On weekends? Holidays?

• What can I do to ease the side effects?

• How will we know if treatment is working?

• Are there support groups nearby that I can join?

After treatment

• How will I feel after the treatment?

• What type of follow-up will I need after treatment?

• Who will be in charge of my follow-up care?

• What kind of tests will I need and how often will I need them?

• Do I need to follow a special diet?

• Are there any limits on what I can do?

• Will I need any type of rehab therapy after treatment? 

• How will we know if treatment worked?

• How will I know if the cancer comes back? What should I watch for?

• What are my choices if the treatment doesn't work, or the cancer comes back?

• Who will make my survivorship care plan? This is a care plan tailored to you to help keep track of and maintain your health once your cancer treatment is finished.

Making a decision

When you have answers from your healthcare provider, it’s time to think about what you want. Think about what side effects and long-term changes you can and can’t deal with. Talk about all of your concerns with your healthcare team, family, and friends before making a decision about treatment.