When your doctor tells you that you have cancer, it can often be overwhelming. However, it is important to use the time when you are with your doctor, to learn as much about your cancer as you can, so that you can gain control of your diagnosis.

After a physician tells a patient that they have melanoma the doctor will often explain a number of important details specific to that patient's melanoma. It is often helpful to bring a friend or family member with you Friends can lend morale support and help you by asking questions, and helping you understand what your doctor has said.

The following questions relate to some of the most important aspects of a melanoma diagnosis and can serve as a guide to help you focus on what questions to ask your doctor.

 Remember, it is ALWAYS okay to ask your doctor to repeat or clarify something they have said so that you can better understand it. 

 You may find it helpful to print out these questions and bring them with you to your next doctor's visit.

• What information do you hope to gain from the biopsy? 
• What is the likelihood that the biopsy will establish a diagnosis?
•  Can the diagnosis be established by any other methods?
• How is the biopsy done?
• Is the procedure painful? Is a local or general anesthetic involved?
• How safe is the biopsy procedure?
• Can the biopsy be performed in your office or must the procedure be done in a hospital?
• Will you be removing the entire lesion or a part of the lesion? Why?
• How many samples will be removed?
• How large is the tissue fragment to be removed?
• How long will the procedure take? Can I go about my normal daily activities afterward?
• Will I have pain or scarring afterward?
• Will I need stitches?
• How do I take care of the biopsy site?
• What should I do if I think I have an infection?
• What does an infection at a biopsy site look like?
• Are there any complications that might arise as a result of the biopsy procedure? If complications develop, what should I do or whom should I contact?
• Who will interpret the biopsy? 
• How long will I wait until a result is available? 
• How will I be informed about the result of the biopsy?