Questions to Ask About Head and Neck Cancer

This is the last page in the Understanding Head and Neck Cancer Guide. This guide was developed by the HealthTree Education Team and was last updated and reviewed on May 22, 2026. 

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 head and neck cancer diagnosis

• What type of head and neck cancer do I have? Where exactly is it located?
• What is the subtype and grade?
• What stage is my head and neck cancer? What does that mean for my prognosis?
• If my cancer is in the oropharynx, is it HPV-positive or HPV-negative? How does that affect my treatment and outlook?
• Has my tumor been tested for HPV, EBV (for nasopharyngeal cancer), and PD-L1?
• Should my family members consider genetic counseling or testing?
• Has my cancer spread to the lymph nodes or other organs?
• Should I get a second opinion? Will my care be managed by a multidisciplinary head and neck cancer team?

Questions to ask about head and neck 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 my treatment involve surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination?
• How will treatment affect my ability to speak, eat, and swallow?
• How will treatment affect my appearance?
• What are the possible side effects of each treatment, and how can they be managed?
• How will treatment affect my daily life, including work?
• Am I a candidate for transoral robotic surgery (TORS) or other minimally invasive approaches?
• Am I a candidate for immunotherapy or targeted therapy?
• How long will treatment last?
• Are there clinical trials I should consider, including treatment de-escalation trials for HPV-positive cancer?

Questions about head and neck cancer surgery

• What type of surgery do I need?
• Will my voice box, tongue, or other structures be affected?
• Will I need a neck dissection? On one side or both?
• Will I need reconstructive surgery? What will the recovery be like?
• Will I be able to eat and speak normally after surgery? If not, how will these be managed?
• How should I prepare for surgery?
• What will recovery look like, and how long will it take?
• What signs of complications should I watch for after surgery?

Questions about radiation and chemotherapy

• Will I need radiation, chemotherapy, or both?
• How many weeks of radiation will I need?
• What side effects should I expect, both during and after treatment?
• Will I need a feeding tube during or after treatment?
• Should I see a dentist before treatment? What dental care should I have?
• How will my dry mouth and taste changes be managed?

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 is my risk of developing a second cancer in the head and neck, lungs, or esophagus?
• What are the long-term side effects I should watch for?
• Should I have regular thyroid function tests?
• Should my family members consider HPV vaccination?

Questions to ask about clinical trials

• Are there any clinical trials I might qualify for?
• Are there treatment de-escalation trials available for my HPV-positive cancer?
• 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 a speech-language pathologist and a dietitian?
• Are there support groups for head and neck cancer patients or survivors in my area or online?
• Can you refer me to an oncology social worker?
• Are there resources to help with the financial costs of treatment?
• How can I get help with smoking cessation?
• How can my family members or caregivers get support?
• Are there palliative care or integrative medicine services available to me?