What questions should I ask my doctor after being diagnosed with leukemia?

What questions should I ask my doctor after being diagnosed with leukemia?

Noam Z. Drazin (Hematologist & Oncologist, Cedars-Sinai Medical Group) gives expert video advice on: Should I see an oncologist or a leukemia specialist?; Are there any proven alternative methods for treating leukemia?; How can I find out more about leukemia? and more...

I think the most important questions to ask of your physician once you are diagnosed with any malignancy and especially leukaemia is to sit down with them and discuss what the plan is going to be. I as a physician, always when unfortunately given the opportunity to give someone a diagnosis, usually have an entire plan of action already established. I think that provides patients with some reassurance that there is a plan of action. There is actually a treatment course that's been outlined or at least thought of to allow a patient to have some degree of understanding of what they are up against over the next several months or years, as it could be, depending on the diagnosis. So I think the best thing to ask is for a plan, a treatment plan and what to expect as a result of the treatment.