First appointment with oncologist: What to expect?

To answer your question, it will help this forum to know your clinical history.

I’m always a bit overwhelmed and mentally scattered in such situations.
My best move in such a situation is to take someone along who can help listen, keep things on track, and remember the answers.
Good luck on your journey

+1 for a bringing a note-taker along. Looking back over notes from 2 years ago, I learned a lot that I'd forgotten.

Absolutely correct about having a trusted individual go with you for extra ears. I always did and felt better having a backup listener.

Like another post would be helpful if we knew your history and numbers.

Without that what ever your diagnosis was I would do a lot of research and then make a list of questions from that research. You can just do a search on prostrate cancer and many options will come up. Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, UFHPTI, and many other facilities have web sites, videos etc. to help you understand the cancer, treatment options and pros and cons of each.
Good luck

The medical oncologist will have looked at your images and reports (if he's any good). He'll go over both with you. Take your cell and photograph the screen where he identifies your cancer. He may not mind if you record the 30 minutes (easier if you are having a video conference). If you are going to photo the screen, borrow your wife's, sister's cell, so you don't interrupt the recording.
He should then advise you: surgery, medication, or radiation or combination. You may want to ask his reasoning. It may be obvious. Then he'll refer you to one of his colleagues--surgeon or radiologist and prescribe ADT , if appropriate
Arrange your quesion sheet in order of importance. Many of the questions he will have answered. (My advice is to let him speak first, unless he is slow getting started. ) Arrive a little early so that no time is wasted pulling your records to the screen. And if your thirty minutes evaporate with unanswered questions, hand him the question sheet--better if typed with the unanswered checked.
Sometimes a person with you is a distraction.

Or a she as your oncologist...mine is a lovely Russian female oncologist. Either a recorder or a extra pair of ears is a very good idea. You, are not hearing everything correctly more than likely because of your deep concern for what will happen to you. It's always advised that someone else hear what you're hearing in any major episodes with your personal health.

If you were in the western US, the answer to the question (What should I expect from first visit to oncologist?) This answer is simple. Nothing. I have a severe group of killer diseases(CJD, EML, etc), and none of my docs is willing to do a damned thing. The reasoning? "None of the other doctors has done anything except collect money, so why should I do anything different?" oldkarl

As others have mentioned, it’s very helpful to have someone with you for another set of ears and maybe to take notes.

Some have found it helpful to record the session to listen to later. This can help lessen the chance for misunderstandings.

1) Record the discussion if the doctor permits.
2) Definitely have someone along. As the one who just received the diagnosis, you are likely still “rattled.”
3) Note his/her treatment recommendations.
4) Buy Dr Walsh’s book on surviving prostate cancer; read the highlights at each chapter’s beginning; read the entire chapter on those you think are critical to your treatment plan.
5) Do your own research at reputable websites, such as Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, to name a few.
6) Meet with a surgeon to learn what he/she has to offer as a plan.
7) Discuss with your doctors, particularly if surgery is the plan, a script for Pelvic Floor PT for BEFORE AND after treatment.
8) Ask if a Lupron ( or similar) shot is considered. This can sometimes cause hot flashes and some meds, like Venlafaxine 37.5 mg twice daily, can alleviate these side effects.
9) Compile your notes and research into one binder or folder to refer to in future meetings with doctors.
10) Remember that radiation can easily follow surgery, but radiation “damages” tissues making surgery after radiation more difficult.

I was 72, PSA of 19.8, with 3+4’s and 4+3’s when diagnosed. I chose RALP as PSMA showed cancer was confined to the prostate and partly because of #10. I did the PT with a DPT (Baylor Scott & White Clinic in Texas) BEFORE the surgery and was 100% continent when catheter was removed. The pathology report showed there was a previously undetected cancer within the gland, one that would have survived radiation.

Best of luck in your journey!