Medical Oncologist
Your first oncology appointment
Documents to Bring to Your — First Oncology Consultation
Arriving with the right documents means your oncologist can review your case and start forming a plan at the first appointment. Without them, the consultation often becomes a list of what to collect before a second visit — and that costs you time you do not want to lose.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed August 2026
- Bring originals and photocopies — Bring originals where you have them, with two photocopies so the team keeps a set and you keep yours.
- Imaging discs matter as much as reports — A written radiology report alone is often not enough. The actual scan disc lets your oncologist review the images directly.
- Two years of records is the right window — Earlier records rarely change the immediate plan, but records from the past two years usually do.
- List every medicine and supplement — Include prescription medicines, vitamins, and any herbal or Ayurvedic remedies — some interact with cancer treatments.
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Bring all biopsy and pathology reports, imaging scans with their discs, blood test results, and any treatment records from the past two years. A complete set lets your oncologist review your case and start planning at the first appointment, rather than sending you back to collect missing documents.
Why does what you bring change what happens at your first appointment?
Your oncologist cannot plan from a verbal summary. They need to review the actual biopsy report, the imaging, and the blood results — not what a previous doctor said about them.
When you arrive with complete documents, the appointment moves from establishing what has happened to deciding what happens next. Without them, the consultation often ends with a list of what to collect before a second visit can be useful.
This matters most if you are seeking a second opinion or transferring your care from another hospital. The more complete the picture at the first meeting, the more the consultation can achieve.
What if some of your documents are missing or held by another hospital?
Most hospitals in India are required to provide you with copies of your own reports. Ask the records or pathology department specifically for the biopsy report, radiology report, and any discharge summary.
If the hospital is slow to release them, put the request in writing and follow up in person — a direct visit is almost always faster than a phone call. You are entitled to your own records.
Bring whatever you have to the appointment. A partial picture is better than no appointment at all, and your oncologist can tell you which specific documents are still needed before planning can begin.
Meet the Specialists
17+ senior cancer specialists. One panel for your case.
Trained at AIIMS, Tata Memorial, and leading international centres. Combined 150+ years of experience. Every complex case is reviewed by 3+ of them — together.
Medical Oncologist
Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
Medical Oncologist
Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
Medical Oncologist
Medical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Muralidhar Muddusetty
MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vinay Mamidala
MBBS, MS(General Surgery), M.Ch(Surgical Oncology), FMAS, FARIS(Ongoing)
Surgical Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Hematologist
Interventional Radiologist
Dr. Mohammed Imran
Surgical Oncologist
Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
Surgical Oncologist
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What exactly do I need to bring to my first oncology appointment?
- All biopsy and histopathology reports, including the original pathologist's report
- Imaging discs or CDs — CT scan, MRI, PET-CT, ultrasound, or X-ray — not just the written reports
- Written radiology reports to accompany each disc
- Blood test results from the past two years, in date order where possible
- Previous treatment records — chemotherapy cycle summaries, radiation treatment records, surgical notes
- Hospital discharge summaries from any admission related to your cancer
- A referral or clinic letter from your GP or surgeon, if you have one
- Government-issued photo ID — Aadhaar card or equivalent — for registration
- Insurance policy document and policy number, if you plan to make a claim
- A written list of all medicines, supplements, and herbal or traditional remedies you are currently taking
Does what you need to bring depend on your situation?
| Document | New diagnosis | Seeking a second opinion | Transferring your care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biopsy / pathology report | Essential | Essential — reviewer needs original | Essential |
| Imaging discs (CT, MRI, PET-CT) | Essential | Essential | Essential |
| Written radiology reports | Bring with discs | Bring with discs | Bring with discs |
| Blood test results | Bring what you have | Past two years | Past two years, complete set |
| Previous treatment records | Not yet applicable | Essential | Essential |
| Hospital discharge summaries | If admitted | All relevant ones | All relevant ones |
| Current medicines list | Essential | Essential | Essential |
| Insurance documents | If claiming | If claiming | If claiming |
Questions about specific documents
Do I need the actual imaging disc, or is the radiology report enough?
The disc matters. A written radiology report summarises what the radiologist saw, but your oncologist may reach a different conclusion when they look at the images directly. This is especially true when seeking a second opinion or when a borderline finding needs careful review. Bring the disc and the written report together. If you only have the report and not the disc, bring what you have and ask the previous hospital to issue a copy of the images — most can produce one on the same day with advance notice.
My reports are in Telugu or another regional language. Do I need English translations?
You do not need to arrange a translation in advance. Bring the documents as they are. Most oncology teams in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh read reports in Telugu, Hindi, and English without difficulty. If any document is in a language the team cannot read on the day, they will tell you exactly what to arrange before the next appointment. Do not delay your consultation waiting on a translation — the appointment matters more.
My biopsy was done at a government hospital. How do I get a copy of the report?
Go to the records or pathology department in person and ask for a copy of your histopathology report. Bring the appointment slip or inpatient number you were given at the time. Government hospitals are required to provide copies of reports to patients. If the department asks you to return in a few days, go back in person rather than calling — a direct visit is almost always faster than a phone request. If you are struggling to obtain the report, ask your current treating doctor whether they can request it through hospital channels on your behalf.
I have years of records. Do I bring everything?
Bring records from the past two years as a priority. If your cancer was first diagnosed more than two years ago, bring the original diagnosis report regardless of when it was made. Earlier records are rarely needed for the first consultation, but if you are uncertain what matters, bring more rather than less. Organise them in date order if you can — it makes the review faster, but it is not essential if the records are otherwise complete.
Can a family member bring documents on my behalf if I cannot travel?
A family member can deliver documents ahead of the appointment, or you can send scanned copies via email or WhatsApp when confirming your booking. However, the oncologist generally needs to see you in person for the first consultation to take a clinical history and examine you — documents alone are not sufficient for a first visit. If travel is genuinely difficult, ask the team in advance whether a video consultation is possible as a first step before the in-person assessment.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring photocopies instead of originals?
Originals are preferred, particularly for pathology reports and imaging, where fine detail matters. Bring originals where you have them, with photocopies as your own set to keep. If you only have photocopies — for example, because the originals are held by another hospital — bring what you have and explain the situation. Arriving with copies is far better than delaying the appointment while you wait for originals.
What if my previous hospital will not release my records?
You have a right to your own medical records in India. If a hospital is delaying, put your request in writing to the medical records department and keep a copy of that letter. In practice, most delays are administrative rather than deliberate, and a written request addressed to the department head, with a clear deadline, usually resolves the issue. If it does not, the state medical council or National Health Authority can be contacted. Meanwhile, book your oncology appointment and tell the team which documents are pending.
Do I need a referral letter to see an oncologist at CION?
No. A referral letter is not required to book a first consultation at CION. You can contact any centre directly to make an appointment. A referral letter is helpful if your GP or surgeon has written one, because it summarises the clinical background, but it is not a prerequisite. What the oncologist needs is your documents — the biopsy report, imaging, and blood results — not a letter.
Should I bring insurance documents even if I am not sure my policy covers cancer treatment?
Yes. Bring your policy document and insurance card or policy number. Many patients are uncertain what their policy covers, and the administrative team can help you find out. Some insurers require pre-authorisation before treatment begins, and starting that process early saves time. Even if you end up not making a claim, having the documents at the first appointment costs nothing and keeps the option open.
What if I was diagnosed or treated abroad?
Bring all documents you have, including those in other languages. English-language reports from abroad are read without difficulty. If reports are in another language, bring them anyway and mention it to the team — translation can be arranged if a specific document is essential to the review. Also bring digital copies on your phone as a backup if the originals are difficult to carry. Do not delay your consultation because of a language barrier in your records.
Does my medicines list need to include supplements and herbal remedies?
Yes, list everything — prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, minerals, protein supplements, and any herbal, Ayurvedic, or traditional remedies. Some herbal preparations interact with chemotherapy drugs or affect how the body processes certain treatments. Your oncologist needs a complete picture to prescribe safely. Write the name, dose, and how often you take each one. If you are unsure of the name, bring the packet to the appointment.