Questions to ask: Stomach and esophagus cancer
Diagnosis
- Where exactly is my cancer: the esophagus, the place where it meets the stomach, or the stomach?
- Is it adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma?
- What stage is my cancer, and has it spread to lymph nodes or other organs?
- Do I need an endoscopic ultrasound, PET-CT scan, or staging laparoscopy?
- Has my tumor been tested for HER2, PD-L1, MSI, and CLDN18.2?
- Was broad gene testing (NGS) done on my tumor?
- Can my cancer be removed with surgery?
- Is the goal of treatment to remove all the cancer or to control it?
- Should I have inherited gene testing, and should my family be tested?
- Do I have H. pylori, and should my family members be checked for it?
- Should I get a second opinion at a center that does many of these surgeries?
Before
- What treatment do you suggest, and in what order: chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or immunotherapy?
- Will I get chemotherapy before and after surgery, or chemoradiation before surgery?
- How many of these surgeries does my surgeon and hospital do each year?
- What will eating be like after surgery?
- Will I need a feeding tube, and for how long?
- Can I meet with a dietitian before treatment starts?
- What can I do now to get stronger before surgery?
- What side effects are most likely, and how will we manage them?
- Are there clinical trials I could join?
- Who should I call with problems at night or on weekends?
- What costs should I expect, and who can help with insurance or time off work?
During
- How will we know if the treatment is working?
- Which side effects should I call about right away?
- What should I eat if swallowing hurts or I have no appetite?
- How can I protect myself from cold sensitivity and numbness from oxaliplatin?
- What should I do if I keep losing weight?
- When is my next scan or scope?
- What happens if the cancer grows on this treatment?
- Can I see a palliative care team for help with symptoms?
- What can my caregiver do to help with meals and the feeding tube?
- Can I see a counselor or social worker?
After
- How often will I need checkups, scans, or scopes?
- Do I need immunotherapy after surgery?
- Will I need vitamin B12 shots, iron, or other supplements, and for how long?
- How can I manage dumping syndrome or reflux?
- What signs could mean the cancer has come back?
- When can I return to work, driving, and exercise?
- Who will be my main doctor after treatment ends?
- Where can my family and I find support groups?
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.