Questions to Bring — Before Your First Chemotherapy Session
Starting chemotherapy without understanding your regimen, the team giving it, or what to do in an emergency puts you at an avoidable disadvantage. You are entitled to clear answers before your first infusion.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- About the regimen — You should know the name, the reason it was chosen, and how many cycles you will have.
- About the team — Ask who will administer your chemotherapy and who to call between appointments.
- About emergencies — Know what to do if you have a fever or a reaction after you leave the centre.
- About cost — Ask what is included in each cycle and what will be charged separately.
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Before chemotherapy starts, you are entitled to ask about your regimen, the team who will give it, how the centre handles emergencies after hours, and what the full cost will be. A centre that gives you clear answers to all of these is one you can reasonably trust with the treatment.
What are you entitled to know before chemotherapy starts?
You have the right to understand what drug or combination of drugs you are being given, why this regimen was chosen for your specific cancer, and what the plan is if the first cycle does not go as expected.
You also have the right to know who is responsible for your safety during the infusion, who your point of contact is between appointments, and what to do if you feel seriously unwell at two in the morning.
Asking these questions is not being difficult. It is the information you need to give your consent and to keep yourself safe.
Bring a family member if you can. A second person helps you remember answers and catches what you miss when you are anxious.
What should I ask before my first chemotherapy infusion?
- What is the name of my chemotherapy regimen, and why was this one chosen for my cancer?
- How many cycles will I have, and how long is each cycle?
- What blood tests will I need before each cycle, and what result would delay or stop treatment?
- Who will administer my chemotherapy — a trained oncology nurse or a doctor?
- Is a medical oncologist available on site during my infusion?
- Who is my point of contact if I have a question or a new symptom between appointments?
- Is there a 24-hour number I can call if I have a fever, a reaction, or feel seriously unwell after leaving?
- Which hospital should I go to in an emergency during the night or on a public holiday?
- Is chemotherapy given as day care so I can go home the same day, or will I need to stay overnight?
- What are the most likely side effects of my specific regimen, and which symptoms mean I should call the same day?
- What is the cost of each cycle? What is included and what will be charged separately?
- Are blood tests and response-assessment scans included in the cycle cost, or billed separately?
- Is there a financial counsellor or social worker I can speak to about payment options or financial assistance?
Where to find us
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What should you do if you cannot get clear answers?
If a centre cannot tell you the name of your regimen, who will be responsible for your care, or what to do in an emergency, treat that as important information about how that centre works.
You are not obligated to start chemotherapy at the first centre you visit. A second opinion from another oncologist is a reasonable step before any treatment begins.
If cost is what is making answers unclear, ask specifically what you will be charged and what the payment options are. A centre that cannot give you a written cost breakdown is not in a position to ask for your trust on that question.
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Still not sure what applies to you?
Send your reports across and a senior medical oncologist will go through what they mean, what is known, and what the options actually are.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude or difficult to ask these questions before treatment starts?
It is not rude, and any oncologist or centre that treats your questions as an inconvenience is telling you something important about how they work. Informed consent requires that you understand what you are agreeing to, and asking for that understanding is part of the process, not a challenge to the doctor's authority. Bring a written list so you do not forget your questions when you are nervous, and ask if you can record the answers.
Can I bring someone with me to the appointment where I ask these questions?
Yes, and it is strongly advisable. A family member or trusted friend can listen while you focus on the conversation, remember answers you forget under stress, and ask follow-up questions you do not think of in the moment. Tell the reception desk when you book that you will be bringing someone, so the room and timing can accommodate it.
What should I do if the regimen changes between my first appointment and the first infusion?
Ask your oncologist to explain why it changed and what it changed to. Changes to a regimen before treatment starts are not unusual — they may reflect new test results, a change in your blood counts, or updated guidance. What matters is that you understand the change and the reason before the infusion begins, not after. If the explanation is not clear, ask for it in writing.
How do I know if a centre is properly equipped to handle a reaction during an infusion?
Ask directly. A centre giving chemotherapy should have emergency medicines and resuscitation equipment on site and a clear protocol for managing severe reactions. The staff administering the infusion should be trained in recognising and responding to acute reactions including anaphylaxis. If the centre cannot confirm this clearly, that is worth taking seriously before you consent to treatment there.
What is the difference between a biosimilar and the originator drug, and should I ask about it?
Yes, ask. A biosimilar is a version of a biological drug developed after the original patent expired. Regulatory bodies such as CDSCO approve biosimilars only when they meet standards for comparable safety and effectiveness to the originator. Most oncology regimens in India use approved biosimilars for several drugs. Ask your oncologist to name the specific drug, confirm whether it is a biosimilar, and explain why it was chosen. You are entitled to that answer.
What if the cost is more than I can manage?
Ask the centre whether they have a financial counsellor or social worker who helps patients with payment planning. Ask whether government schemes such as Aarogyasri, PM-JAY, or your state-specific insurance cover any part of your treatment and whether the centre is empanelled for those schemes. Your oncologist may also be able to discuss whether there are regimens that achieve a similar aim at a different cost — that is a legitimate question to raise.
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