Treatment
Many people with leukemia want to take an active part in
making decisions about their medical care.
They want to learn all they can about their disease and their treatment
choices. However, the shock and stress
after a diagnosis of cancer can make it hard to think of everything to ask the
doctor. Often it helps to make a list
of questions before an appointment. To
help remember what the doctor says, patients may take notes or ask whether they
may use a tape recorder. Some also want
to have a family member or friend with them when they talk to the doctor—to
take part in the discussion, to take notes, or just to listen.
The
doctor may refer patients to doctors who specialize in treating leukemia, or
patients may ask for a referral.
Specialists who treat leukemia include
hematologists,
medical oncologists, and
radiation oncologists.
Pediatric
oncologists and hematologists treat childhood leukemia.
Whenever possible, patients should
be treated at a medical center that has doctors experienced in treating
leukemia. If this is not possible, the
patient’s doctor may discuss the treatment plan with a specialist at such a
center.
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