Access information on common Prostate cancer questions at Consumer Reports Health.

Prostate cancer

Questions to ask your doctor

If you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may want to talk to your doctor to find out more.

Here are some questions that you might want to ask.

How sure are you that I have cancer? (How reliable are the tests you used to diagnose my prostate cancer?)
How big is my tumor?
Has my prostate cancer spread? What stage is it? How sure are you that this is the stage of my cancer?
Do I need extra tests to see if the cancer has spread to my

lymph nodes
Lymph nodes (also called glands) are small, bean-shaped lumps that you cannot usually see or easily feel. They are located in various parts of the body, such as the neck, armpit and groin. Lymph nodes filter the lymph fluid and remove unusual things, such as bacteria and cancer cells.

lymph nodes or other parts of my body? How reliable are these tests?
What is the grade of my prostate cancer? (This can tell you how aggressive your cancer is and how likely it is to spread.)
What about my age and my state of health generally? Will this affect what will happen to me?
Will I get symptoms even if I don't have any now? What will they feel like?
How often will I need to have tests and checkups?
What's the best treatment for me? Do I have any choices?
What are the side effects of treatment?
What's the chance that I will survive my prostate cancer? How long will I probably live?
Is there anything I can do to help myself? Do I need to make any changes to my lifestyle?
How can I tell my family I have cancer?

This information was last updated on Oct 13, 2008

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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