It is very important. I understand that it may be difficult to find a CLL specialist everywhere in such a large country, if not in the world. But more and more,
there are very peculiar findings that really guide us on the therapy and is important to get that expert advice. At least you have a better understanding of
what is happening. And all of these specialists are always very willing to be working with a local doctor. So the local doctors have the just
the direct availability. They're right there. They're accessible. And this is great to make sure patients get access to care. But hearing the expert opinion will still make a big difference. So whenever possible, getting a CLL expert to at least review things with you and kind of set some expectations, set some potential plan, and then working with the local doctor, with the general hematologist/oncologist who is very, very capable in putting that plan into action. So that collaboration is critical. So, yes, whenever possible, I strongly suggest seeing a CLL expert. So a hematologist/oncologist [...] is a doctor who would be able to treat CLL. I think that overall cancer management is getting more complex. Though, most patients with CLL do receive their care in the community. I think seeing a CLL specialist at a tertiary care center, at least for initial consultation or periodically thereafter always helps because I think that community doctors obviously have a lot of knowledge. Their breadth of knowledge is immense. But for a specialist who specializes in a particular cancer, he has depth of knowledge and I think that would help a patient at least to get a consultation for.
HealthTree • January 9, 2024