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After your diagnosis

Questions to Ask at Your — First Oncology Appointment

Your first oncology appointment is the most important meeting of the next few months. You will hear a lot of information in a short time, when you are frightened and trying to absorb it all. This page gives you the questions that matter most — and what to have ready when you walk in.

Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Write questions before you go — Appointments move fast. A written list means nothing important gets left unsaid.
  • Bring all reports and scans — The oncologist needs the actual images and pathology reports, not just the written summary.
  • Take someone with you — A second person hears what you miss when you are anxious and helps you recall what was said.
  • Ask what happens next before you leave — Leave the room knowing the next step, who to call, and the timeline.
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Your first oncology appointment sets the direction of your treatment. Ask your oncologist to explain your diagnosis in plain language, what treatment they are recommending and why, what the alternatives are, what side effects to expect, and how quickly a decision needs to be made. Write these questions down the night before.

What are the questions you must ask your oncologist?

Start with your diagnosis. Ask your oncologist to say the cancer type, stage and grade in plain language, and to write it down for you. These words will come up in every conversation from now on.

Ask what treatment they are recommending and why they are recommending it for your specific case. Ask what the alternatives are, and what would happen if you took more time before deciding.

Ask about side effects — not just the common ones, but the ones that mean you need to call the team immediately. Ask how treatment is likely to affect your daily life: work, travel, eating, and caring for family.

Ask what happens next. Who do you call with questions between appointments? What is the timeline? Are any additional tests or scans needed before treatment can start?

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Dr. Naresh Gundu
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Naresh Gundu

MBBS, DNB (Internal Medicine), DM (Medical Oncology)

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Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
Medical Oncologist

Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy

MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)

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Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla

MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)

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Dr. Owais Mohammed
Medical Oncologist

Dr. Owais Mohammed

MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)

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Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy
Medical Oncologist

Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy

MBBS, DM (Medical Oncology), MD (Radiation Oncology)

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Dr. N. Kiranmayee
Medical Oncologist

Dr. N. Kiranmayee

MBBS, DM (Medical Oncology), MD (Internal Medicine)

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Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty

MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)

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Dr. Raghavendra Naik
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Raghavendra Naik

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

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Dr. Mohammed  Imaduddin
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Mohammed Imaduddin

M.B.B.S, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology)

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Dr. Vinay Mamidala
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Vinay Mamidala

MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)

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Dr. Paila Gowri Naidu
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Paila Gowri Naidu

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Surgical Oncology), FMAS

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Dr. Venkata Sushma P
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Venkata Sushma P

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology)

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Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mohanty
Radiation Oncologist

Dr. Kirti Ranjan Mohanty

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology)

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Dr. Gangadhar Vajrala
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Dr. Gangadhar Vajrala

MBBS, MD (Radiation Oncology), MPH

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Dr. Basudev Pokhrel
Hematologist

Dr. Basudev Pokhrel

MBBS, M.D (Immunohematology & Blood Transfusion)

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Dr. Mohammed Imran
Interventional Radiologist

Dr. Mohammed Imran

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Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology

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Dr. Sridhar Kamani
Surgical Oncologist

Dr. Sridhar Kamani

MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology)

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What should you bring to your first oncology appointment?

ItemBring today?What happens if you do not have it
Biopsy and pathology reportEssentialThe oncologist may not be able to confirm the diagnosis or plan treatment at this visit
Imaging scans on CD or film (CT, MRI, ultrasound, PET)EssentialTreatment planning needs the actual images, not just the written report
Written list of all medicines, including Ayurvedic and supplementsEssentialDrug interactions are decided on your full medicine list — memory is not reliable enough
Someone to sit with youStrongly recommendedA second person hears what you miss and helps you remember what was said
Insurance card, Ayushman card, or hospital registration documentBring if you have itNeeded for billing and records — the appointment can proceed but sort this early
Your written list of questionsWrite it before you goAppointments move quickly; without a list, important questions get forgotten
Old records from other illnessesBring if availableHelpful context, but can be sent later if not available today

How do you prepare for your first oncology appointment?

  1. The night before: write your questions down

    Write every question you have, no matter how basic it feels. Put the most important one first. You will not remember them all under pressure, and a written list means the appointment covers what you actually need to know.

  2. Before you leave home: gather everything in one folder

    Collect your biopsy reports, imaging scans on CD or film, and a full written list of medicines and supplements. Putting them in one folder means nothing is left behind.

  3. Confirm who is coming with you

    A family member or close friend should sit with you. Let them know they are there to listen and help you remember — not to answer questions on your behalf unless you ask them to.

  4. At the appointment: lead with your most pressing question

    State it at the start: 'My most important question today is…'. This tells the oncologist what matters most to you and ensures it gets answered even if time is short.

  5. If you do not understand something, say so immediately

    Ask for the explanation again or ask the oncologist to write down the key word. Say: 'I did not follow that — can you explain it a different way?' You are not expected to know medical terms in advance.

  6. Before you leave: confirm what happens next

    Ask three things: what is the next step, when does it happen, and who do you call if you have questions before then? Leave the room with a clear answer to all three.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Should I get a second opinion before starting treatment?

Yes, and a trustworthy oncologist will not be offended by the request. A second opinion is worth having when the diagnosis is rare, when treatment options are not straightforward, or when you have real doubt about the recommended plan. Ask your team to prepare a summary of your diagnosis and proposed treatment — that is what a second-opinion centre will need. Getting one does not significantly delay treatment for most cancers.

What if I do not understand what my oncologist is saying?

Say so, directly and immediately. 'I did not follow that — can you explain it differently?' is a fair and expected request. You are not expected to know medical terms before this appointment. Ask the oncologist to write down the key words if an explanation is still unclear. Having the person with you repeat back what they heard is also useful — it catches misunderstandings before you leave the room.

Can I bring my family into the consultation room?

Yes, and it is encouraged at this appointment. A family member or close friend hears what you miss when you are anxious and can ask questions you did not think of. Let the staff know someone is with you when you register. If several people want to come, check first whether there is space — one person alongside you is usually enough and easier for the oncologist to manage.

What if I forget to ask something during the appointment?

Writing your questions down before you go is the single most effective way to prevent this. If you still forget something on the day, call or message the centre's care team afterwards — most questions that feel urgent can be handled without waiting for the next visit. Your oncologist will schedule a follow-up appointment, and questions not answered today can go to that visit.

How do I know if I am seeing the right specialist?

The specialist you see should match the organ where the cancer started — a lung oncologist for lung cancer, a gynaecological oncologist for cervical or ovarian cancer, and so on. If you are unsure, ask directly: 'Are you the specialist for this type of cancer?' The right specialist will say clearly what their focus is, and will tell you if a referral to a more focused subspecialist is needed for your case.

Full index

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IHC and Molecular Markers on a Biopsy: What They Mean →

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Your Biopsy Is Benign: What It Means and What Comes Next →

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