Medical Oncologist
Before you commit
What to Ask — Before Committing to a Treatment Plan
You have a diagnosis and a recommended treatment plan. Before you agree to start, there are specific questions you need answered clearly — and asking them is not rude, not disloyal, and not a sign of doubt. It is what informed consent looks like.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed August 2026
- Ask before you start — Once treatment begins, the window to revisit alternatives narrows. These questions are easier to ask now than later.
- The goal is the first thing — Knowing whether this treatment aims to eliminate the cancer, control it, or manage symptoms changes everything else about the decision.
- Second opinions are standard — Both ASCO and NCCN name second opinions as a patient's right. Most oncologists expect them.
- Write the answers down — These conversations are hard to remember clearly afterwards. Bringing a family member helps.
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Before agreeing to any treatment plan, ask your oncologist four things: why this specific treatment was chosen for your tumour, what the alternatives are and why they were set aside, what success looks like in your situation, and what the likely side effects are. Writing down the answers helps.
What should you understand before agreeing to start?
The four things you need to understand are: why this treatment was chosen for your specific tumour, what it aims to achieve, what the realistic side effects are, and what alternatives were considered.
You are being asked to commit to something that will affect your body, your time, and your finances for months. Getting clear answers before treatment starts is the right thing to do.
If your appointment felt too short to cover all of this, call back and ask for more time, or bring a family member to your next appointment to help you remember and ask follow-up questions.
Which questions matter most before you commit to a treatment plan?
| Area | Ask this | A complete answer includes |
|---|---|---|
| Your diagnosis | Is the diagnosis confirmed on biopsy, and has biomarker testing been done? | The cancer type, grade, stage, and which molecular markers have been tested for your cancer type |
| Why this plan | Which guideline does this follow, and why is this the right treatment for my tumour? | The named guideline (NCCN, ESMO, or ICMR), why this over alternatives, and whether this is standard or a clinical trial |
| Other options | What alternatives exist, and why are they not recommended for my case? | At least one alternative named, with a reason specific to your tumour — not just 'this is the best option' |
| What success means | Is this treatment intended to eliminate the cancer, control it, or manage my symptoms? | A direct answer about the goal, and what response assessment will look like during treatment |
| Side effects | What are the likely side effects, and which ones need a same-day call? | Specific symptoms listed, with clear guidance on what is urgent versus what can wait for your next appointment |
| Day to day | Is this day care or inpatient? How many cycles? Who do I contact between appointments? | A clear schedule, whether admission is needed, and a named contact for questions between visits |
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 if the answers feel incomplete or rushed?
Call back and ask for more time. Following up after your first oncology appointment is normal and your team expects it.
You can also see a second oncologist before deciding. Both ASCO and NCCN name second opinions as a patient's right, and most oncologists expect them.
If your doctor discourages a second opinion, that itself tells you something about how communication will work for the months of treatment ahead. A team that welcomes questions is one you can work with clearly.
Did you know?
ASCO guidance explicitly names seeking a second opinion as something every patient is entitled to before starting cancer treatment.
It is not a challenge to the treating team. It is part of informed consent — and most oncologists expect it.
Source: American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) patient guidance
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Next step
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I know my diagnosis is correct before I start treatment?
A diagnosis is confirmed through biopsy — a sample of the tumour examined under a microscope by a pathologist. Before starting treatment, ask whether a pathologist with cancer specialisation reviewed the slides, and whether molecular or biomarker testing has been done where relevant for your cancer type. If you remain uncertain, a second pathology opinion on the original slides is possible and does not require a new biopsy.
What is the difference between curative, control, and palliative treatment?
In cancer care, treatment with curative intent aims to eliminate the cancer entirely. Treatment aimed at disease control aims to stop the cancer growing or spreading for as long as possible. Palliative treatment aims to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life rather than target the cancer directly. Knowing which of these goals applies to your plan is the single most important thing to establish before you start — it shapes how you weigh every other decision, including side effects and timing.
Should I get a second opinion before starting cancer treatment?
Yes, if you have the time and access to do so. ASCO guidelines name second opinions as a patient's right, and most oncologists expect them. The only situation where time is genuinely critical is a medical emergency — a fast-growing obstruction, for example — and your team should tell you clearly if that is the case. Otherwise, a few days to consult another oncologist rarely affects outcomes, and it can significantly improve your confidence in the decision.
How do I ask about treatment alternatives without seeming difficult?
You are not being difficult — asking this is expected. A straightforward way to ask is: 'I want to understand why this was chosen over other options — can you walk me through that?' A good oncologist will answer clearly. If the answer is 'this is the best option' without specifics, ask what makes it preferable for your specific tumour type and stage. A clear reason specific to your case should be possible to give.
What biomarker tests should I ask about before treatment starts?
Which tests matter depends entirely on your cancer type, so there is no single list that applies to everyone. Rather than asking about individual markers, ask your oncologist: 'Have all the molecular tests been ordered that could affect the treatment choice for my cancer?' If testing has been done, ask for the results in writing so you have them for any future consultation. If it has not been done, ask why before treatment starts.
What do I do if the second opinion gives a different recommendation?
If two oncologists give different recommendations, first check whether they agree on the diagnosis and the goal of treatment. Different regimens from the same goal is less concerning than different goals — if one describes treatment as aimed at eliminating the cancer and the other as controlling it, that matters and you need to understand why. Ask each of them to explain their reasoning. A tumour board — where multiple specialists review a case together — is one way disagreements are resolved, and you can ask whether your case has been reviewed that way.