Lung cancer has a way of turning normal sentences into alphabet soup: CT, PET, TNM, PD-L1, EGFR… and suddenly you’re nodding like you understand while your brain quietly requests a reboot.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to memorize medicine. You just need a solid set of questions that help you and your care team make clear, confident decisionsone appointment at a time.
This guide gives you 27 practical questions (plus how to use them) so you can walk into your visit with a plan, leave with answers, and avoid that “Waitwhat did we just agree to?” feeling in the parking lot.
Bring a notebook, a friend, or your phone’s voice memo app (ask permission first). Your future self will thank you.
How to use this list (without turning your appointment into a pop quiz)
- Pick your “Top 10” for today. You can always ask the rest later.
- Ask for plain language: “What does that mean in regular English?” is a power move.
- Repeat back the plan: “So the next step is X, then Yright?”
- Request a written summary (or an after-visit note) so you’re not relying on memory plus stress.
Diagnosis basics: get the facts, not the fog
Before you talk treatment, you want clarity on what you’re treating. Lung cancer isn’t one single thingit’s a family of diagnoses with different behaviors and options.
1) “What type of lung cancer do I have?”
Ask whether it’s non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or small cell lung cancer (SCLC), and what subtype (like adenocarcinoma or squamous cell) if it’s NSCLC.
This is not triviatype influences the playbook.
2) “Where exactly is the tumor located, and how big is it?”
Location affects symptoms, surgical options, and radiation planning. Ask what part of the lung, and whether it’s near major airways or blood vessels.
3) “Has the cancer spread to lymph nodes, and if so, which ones?”
Lymph node involvement can change staging and treatment intensity. If your doctor uses terms like “mediastinal,” ask them to point to a diagram.
4) “Do we know if it has spread anywhere else?”
If there’s metastatic disease, you’ll want specifics: where it is, how it was detected, and what that means for the treatment goal.
5) “What tests confirmed the diagnosisand what did the pathology report say?”
Ask for the key findings in the pathology report (and request a copy). If it’s confusing, ask: “What are the three most important lines in this report?”
6) “Do I need any additional tests before we finalize a plan?”
Common “next steps” can include additional imaging, a more detailed biopsy, pulmonary function testing, or lab work.
It’s okay to ask what each test is forespecially if it sounds like a sequel to a test you already did.
Staging: the roadmap that guides the strategy
Staging tells you how advanced the cancer is and helps guide treatment choices. For many lung cancers, staging uses a system based on tumor size and spread.
7) “What is my stage, and how did you determine it?”
Ask your doctor to walk you through the evidence behind the stagewhat scans or biopsies support it, and what uncertainties remain.
8) “Is my stage based on clinical staging or pathologic staging?”
“Clinical” staging comes from scans and biopsies. “Pathologic” staging often comes after surgery and can sometimes change the picture.
Knowing which one you have helps you interpret the plan and the confidence level.
9) “What does my stage mean for my treatment goals?”
Treatment goals can be curative (aiming to eliminate cancer), controlling (keeping it stable), or palliative (relieving symptoms and improving quality of life).
This question helps align expectations.
10) “If something is ‘uncertain’ on my scan, how will we clarify it?”
Sometimes scans show spots that are “indeterminate.” Ask whether you’ll watch with repeat imaging, do a biopsy, or use another scan type.
The plan matters because uncertainty can be stressfuland you deserve a process.
Biomarkers and genetic testing: the “choose the right key” step
Modern lung cancer care often includes testing the tumor (and sometimes blood) for biomarkersfeatures that can guide targeted therapies and immunotherapy decisions.
Think of it as finding out which “locks” your cancer has, so you’re not trying every key in the world.
11) “Have I had comprehensive biomarker testing? If not, when will it be done?”
Use the word comprehensive. Ask what biomarkers were tested and whether the results are complete.
If tissue is limited, ask about blood-based options and whether more tissue is needed.
12) “What were my results (or expected results), and what do they mean for treatment?”
Ask for plain-English interpretation. If a result makes you eligible (or ineligible) for certain treatments, ask which ones and why.
13) “Was PD-L1 testedand how will that affect immunotherapy choices?”
PD-L1 is commonly used to help guide immunotherapy decisions in many NSCLC settings.
Ask what your score is and how it influences the recommended plan (if applicable to your case).
14) “If my first biomarker test was negative, does that rule out targeted therapy?”
Not necessarily. Ask whether the testing panel was broad enough, whether the sample quality was adequate, and whether repeat or different testing is warranted.
15) “Should I meet with a thoracic oncology specialist or a molecular tumor board team?”
If your case is complexor if biomarker results are unusualspecialist input can help refine options.
Asking this doesn’t insult your doctor; it shows you care about precision.
Treatment plan: what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and what comes next
Lung cancer treatment can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or combinations.
Your plan depends on type, stage, biomarkers, your health, and your preferences.
16) “What are my treatment options for my type and stageand which do you recommend?”
Ask them to compare options side-by-side: expected benefit, risks, time commitment, and how each option fits your specific diagnosis.
17) “What is the goal of my treatment right now?”
This question is simple and powerful. It keeps the conversation honest: are we aiming to cure, shrink, control, or relieve symptoms?
Then ask what success looks like in real life.
18) “Do I need surgeryand if so, what type (and why that type)?”
If surgery is on the table, ask what operation is recommended (for example, removing a segment, a lobe, or more) and what makes you a good candidate.
Also ask how recovery typically looks for someone with your health profile.
19) “Is radiation part of my plan? What kind, how many sessions, and what’s the purpose?”
Radiation can be used to cure, control, or relieve symptoms, and there are different techniques depending on the situation.
Ask for a practical overview: schedule, side effects, and what precautions you’ll need.
20) “If chemotherapy is recommended, which drugs and scheduleand what benefits are we expecting?”
Ask what you’re receiving, how often, for how long, and what the expected payoff is (and how you’ll measure it).
It’s reasonable to ask about alternatives if you have concerns about side effects.
21) “Am I a candidate for immunotherapy or targeted therapy? If yes, which one and why?”
If biomarker results point to a targeted option, ask how it compares to other approaches.
If immunotherapy is recommended, ask how it fits your cancer type and test results.
22) “What happens if the first treatment doesn’t workor stops working?”
This is not “being negative.” It’s being prepared. Ask what the next lines of therapy could be, what triggers a change, and how quickly decisions need to be made.
23) “How will we know if treatment is workingand how often will we check?”
Ask what monitoring looks like: scans, blood tests, symptom check-ins, and timing.
Also ask: “What changes should I report immediately versus at my next visit?”
Side effects and supportive care: protecting your quality of life
The best plan is the one you can actually live through. Managing symptoms and side effects is not “extra”it’s part of treatment.
24) “What side effects are most likely for me, and what can we do proactively?”
Ask about the most common and the most serious side effectsplus early warning signs.
Then ask for prevention strategies (meds, diet tips, activity guidance) and when to call the office.
25) “Can I get supportive care or palliative care alongside treatment?”
Supportive/palliative care can help with pain, breathing issues, fatigue, anxiety, appetite, sleep, and moreat any stage.
Ask what services are available and how to access them without waiting until things feel unmanageable.
Clinical trials, second opinions, and logistics: the practical stuff that matters
26) “Are there clinical trials I should consider right now?”
Ask what trials fit your stage, type, and biomarker profile. Also ask how participation would change your schedule, costs, and who oversees your care.
A trial can be a great option, and you deserve to know whether one is appropriate for you.
27) “What should I do nextthis weekand who is my point person for questions?”
End with clarity. Ask for a short checklist: next appointment, next test, when treatment starts, and who to call if you have side effects or confusion.
You’re building a teamnot collecting business cards.
Bonus: “Fast follow-up” questions if you have time (or a second appointment)
- “Should I get a second opinion, and can you recommend a specialist center?” (Second opinions are common in cancer care.)
- “How will treatment affect my breathing and daily activity?” (Ask about pulmonary rehab if relevant.)
- “What lifestyle changes help me tolerate treatment better?” (Sleep, nutrition, movement, quitting smoking if applicableask for resources.)
- “What about costswho can help me understand insurance and financial assistance?” (Ask for a social worker or financial navigator.)
What a “good appointment” can look like
A productive visit usually ends with:
- A clear diagnosis (type, stage, key pathology details).
- Confirmation that essential testing (including biomarkers when appropriate) is complete or scheduled.
- A recommended plan with alternatives and the reasoning behind it.
- A timeline: what happens next, and when.
- A contact plan for questions and side effects.
If you didn’t get all of that in one day, you didn’t “fail.” Cancer care often unfolds over several steps.
Your job is to keep the fog liftingone good question at a time.
of Real-World Experience: What People Wish They’d Asked (and What Helped)
People who’ve been through a lung cancer diagnosis often say the hardest part isn’t just the informationit’s the timing. You’re expected to absorb life-changing details while you’re tired, scared, and sitting on crinkly exam paper that sounds like a bag of chips every time you breathe. One patient described it as “trying to take notes during an earthquake.” That’s why a question list matters: it gives your brain a handrail.
A common experience is leaving the appointment feeling oddly calm… and then panicking later because you can’t remember what was decided. Several caregivers say the best decision they made was appointing one person to be the “note captain.” They wrote down key numbers (tumor size, stage, biomarker status), recorded the next steps, and asked the doctor to repeat the plan in one sentence. That single-sentence recap“We’re waiting on biomarker results, then starting treatment next Tuesday”became a lifeline when friends and family started asking questions.
Another theme: people wish they had asked earlier about biomarkers and whether their testing was truly comprehensive. It’s easy to assume “tests were done,” but in real life, tissue can be limited or a panel can be narrower than expected. Patients who asked, “What exactly did we test for, and is anything missing?” often felt more confident that the recommended therapy wasn’t based on partial data. When the answer was, “We need more testing,” they were grateful to find out sooner rather than halfway through a plan that didn’t fit.
Many people also talk about the emotional curve of the word “palliative.” Some heard it and thought it meant “giving up,” when what they needed was symptom support while still pursuing active treatment. Those who asked, “Can I have supportive or palliative care now, alongside treatment?” often reported better control of pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and sleep. In plain terms: they felt more like themselves, more days of the week.
Finally, there’s the underrated “logistics” experience: figuring out who to call when something goes wrong on a weekend. Patients who asked for a clear contact pathwaynurse line, after-hours number, what symptoms are urgentsaid it reduced fear. One caregiver put it perfectly: “We didn’t need a perfect future. We just needed to know what to do on Friday night when the fever showed up.” If you take nothing else from these experiences, take this: it’s okay to ask the same question twice. It’s okay to say, “Explain it like I’m stressed.” And it’s more than okay to bring this list and use itbecause you’re not being difficult. You’re being prepared.
Conclusion
Lung cancer appointments can feel overwhelming, but the right questions turn the conversation into a roadmap: what you have, what it means, what you’re doing next, and how you’ll be supported along the way.
Start with the essentials (type, stage, testing, plan), then move into the details (options, side effects, monitoring, trials, logistics).
You don’t need to ask everything today. You just need to keep moving toward clarity.