Preparing for an appointment

If your child is diagnosed with Wilms' tumor, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating cancer (oncologist) or a surgeon who specializes in kidney surgery (urologist).

What you can do

To prepare for the appointment:

• Make a list of all medications, vitamins, herbs, oils and other supplements that your child is taking.
• Ask a family member or friend to come with you to help you remember all the information provided to you during the appointment.
• Create a list of questions to ask your child's doctor.

For Wilms' tumor, some basic questions to ask the doctor include:

• What kinds of tests does my child need?
• What stage is my child's cancer?
• What treatments are available, and which do you recommend?
• What types of side effects can I expect from each treatment?
• Will I need to restrict my child's activity or change his or her diet during treatment?
• What's my child's outlook?
• What is the likelihood that the cancer will come back?
• Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can have? What websites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Be ready to answer them to reserve time to go over points you want to focus on. Your doctor may ask, for example:

• When did you first notice your child's symptoms?
• Is there a history of cancer, including childhood cancer, in your family?
• Does your child have any family history of birth defects, especially of the genitals or urinary tract?