Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Endometrial Cancer

Before your appointments, it can help to write down questions you want to ask your care team. This way, you won't forget anything during your visit. Remember, there are no wrong questions. Your care team wants to make sure you understand your diagnosis and feel confident about your care.

Questions about your endometrial cancer diagnosis

• What type and grade of endometrial cancer do I have?

• What is my molecular subtype? Am I mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) or MSI-H? Do I have a POLE mutation or TP53 mutation? Is my tumor HER2-positive?

• What stage is my endometrial cancer? What does that mean for my prognosis?

• Has my cancer spread to the lymph nodes or other organs?

• Should I be tested for Lynch syndrome? What does that mean for me and my family?

• Should I get a second opinion? Will my care be managed by a gynecologic oncologist?

Questions to ask about endometrial cancer treatment

• What are my treatment options? What do you recommend and why?

• What is the goal of treatment: to cure the cancer, control it, or relieve symptoms?

• Will I need surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, immunotherapy, or a combination?

• Can my surgery be done using a minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) approach?

• What are the possible side effects of each treatment, and how can they be managed?

• How will treatment affect my daily life, including work?

• Are there clinical trials I should consider?

Questions about endometrial cancer surgery

• What type of surgery do I need?

• Will my ovaries be removed? If so, will I go through surgical menopause?

• Will lymph nodes need to be removed? What is the risk of lymphedema?

• Am I a candidate for sentinel lymph node mapping?

• How should I prepare for surgery?

• What signs of complications should I watch for after surgery?

Questions about radiation and chemotherapy

• Will I need radiation, chemotherapy, or both?

• What type of radiation will I receive — vaginal brachytherapy or external beam radiation?

• What side effects should I expect, both during and after treatment?

• How can I manage vaginal side effects from radiation? Should I use a vaginal dilator?

Questions to ask about follow-up care

• How will we know if treatment is working?

• What follow-up tests will I need after treatment ends, and how often?

• What symptoms should prompt me to call your office right away?

• What is the risk that my cancer will come back? What would we do if it did?

• What are the long-term side effects I should watch for?

• How do I manage lymphedema if it develops?

• What can I do to reduce my risk of recurrence?

Questions to ask about clinical trials

• Are there any clinical trials I might qualify for based on my molecular markers?

• What are the potential benefits and risks of the trial?

• Will my insurance cover the costs associated with participating in a trial?

Questions to ask about coping and support

• Can you refer me to an oncology social worker or counselor?

• Are there support groups for endometrial cancer patients or survivors?

• Are there resources to help with the financial costs of treatment?

• Are there sexual health or pelvic floor therapy specialists I should see?

• Are there palliative care or integrative medicine services available to me?

• Should my family members be tested for Lynch syndrome?