Your doctor will plan your treatment by taking into consideration a number of factors, including your general health, the type and size of the tumour and how far it has spread, if at all.

You may find that other people at the hospital with cancer of the kidney are having different treatment from you. This will often be because their illness takes a different form, so they have different needs. If you have any questions about your own treatment, don't be afraid to ask your doctor or the nurse looking after you. It often helps to make a list of questions you want to ask and take a close friend or relative with you to help you remember the discussion more fully.

Giving your consent

Before you have any treatment your doctor will explain the aims of the treatment to you and you will usually be asked to sign a form saying that you give your permission (consent) for the hospital staff to give you the treatment. No medical treatment can be given without your consent, and before you are asked to sign the form you should have been given full information about:

• the type and extent of the treatment you are advised to have
• the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment
• any possible alternative treatments that may be available
• any significant risks or side effects of the treatment.

If you do not understand what you have been told, let the staff know straight away so that they can explain again. Some cancer treatments are complex, so it is not unusual for people to need several explanations.

Patients often feel that the hospital staff are too busy to answer their questions, but it is important for you to be aware of how the treatment is likely to affect you and the staff should be willing to make time for you to ask questions.

You can always ask for more time to decide about the treatment, if you feel that you cannot make a decision when it is first explained to you. Some people choose not to have treatment for their cancer. If you are considering not having treatment it is essential to discuss this fully with your cancer specialist, who can explain what is likely to happen.

If you decide not to have treatment, or want to stop your treatment, be sure to tell a doctor, or the nurse in charge, immediately so that he or she can record your decision in your medical notes. You do not have to give a reason for not wanting to have treatment, but it can be helpful to let the staff know your concerns so that they can give you the best advice.

Second opinion

Usually, a number of cancer specialists work together as part of a team, known as a multidisciplinary team, to advise on the most suitable treatment for a patient. Even so, you may want to have another medical opinion. Most doctors will be willing to refer you to another specialist for a second opinion if you feel that it will be helpful. The second opinion may take some time to organise and may cause a delay in the start of your treatment, so you and your doctor need to be confident that it will provide useful information.

If you do go for a second opinion, it may be a good idea to take a friend or relative with you, and to have a list of questions ready so that you can make sure your concerns are covered during the consultation.