Our 24/7 cancer helpline provides information and answers for people dealing with cancer. We can connect you with trained cancer information specialists who will answer questions about a cancer diagnosis and provide guidance and a compassionate ear.
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Our highly trained specialists are available 24/7 via phone and on weekdays can assist through video calls and online chat. We connect patients, caregivers, and family members with essential services and resources at every step of their cancer journey. Ask us how you can get involved and support the fight against cancer. Some of the topics we can assist with include:
- Referrals to patient-related programs or resources
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- Cancer Information
For medical questions, we encourage you to review our information with your doctor.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Thymus Cancer
It’s important to have frank, open discussions with your cancer care team. They want to answer all of your questions, no matter how minor they might seem. Here are some questions you might want to ask:
- What kind of thymic tumor do I have?
- Is it cancer?
- Has the cancer spread beyond the thymus?
- What is the stage (extent) of my cancer, and what does that mean in my case?
- Can the tumor be removed with surgery? (Is it likely to be resectable?)
- Are there other tests that need to be done before we can decide on treatment?
- How much experience do you have treating this type of cancer?
- Should I get a second opinion?
- What treatment choices do I have? What do you recommend? Why?
- What’s the goal of treatment?
- What risks or side effects are there to the treatments you suggest?
- What should I do to be ready for treatment?
- How long will treatment last? What will it involve? Where will it be done?
- How will treatment affect my daily activities?
- What are the chances my cancer will recur (come back) with these treatment plans?
- What would we do if the treatment doesn’t work or if the cancer recurs?
- What type of follow-up might I need after treatment?
Along with these questions, be sure to write down some of your own. For instance, you might want to know more about recovery times so you can plan your work schedule. Or you may want to ask about clinical trials .
Keep in mind, too, that doctors are not the only ones who can give you information. Other health care professionals, such as nurses and social workers, may have the answers to your questions. You can find more information about working with your health care team in The Doctor-Patient Relationship.
The American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team
Our team is made up of doctors and oncology certified nurses with deep knowledge of cancer care as well as journalists, editors, and translators with extensive experience in medical writing.
Last Revised: October 4, 2017
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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