We collect your previous test reports and other medical records. We may need your help to do so, in case you need to sign a release form with your doctor.

a.     Our goal is to review them before we meet with you so that we understand your unique case. Knowing the details of any previous diagnoses and treatments helps us provide the best possible care for you.

b.     When you schedule your first appointment, our patient coordinators will contact your primary care physician and any other doctors to gather your medical records. We may need your help to do so, in case you need to sign a release form with your doctor. If we cannot obtain them in time, we may need to reschedule your appointment. You can speak with your patient coordinator or your doctor for more details.

c.     Some types of medical records that you should keep include:

• Pathology reports
• List of medications, doses, and how long you took them
• Discharge summary if you had a hospital stay
• Contact information for health care providers who treated you for cancer

a.     Our team meets with you for a thorough diagnostic evaluation. We gather more information during your first appointment but may still need additional tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.

b.     If needed, you may undergo further imaging tests, blood work, or a biopsy.

Learn about testing

a.     After this testing, it typically takes a few days to 2 weeks to review the results and confirm your diagnosis. Getting your test results can take time because your care team is working hard to determine an accurate diagnosis for you.

b.     Many health care professionals collaborate in the process and provide expert analysis, including your oncologist (cancer doctor), hematologist, and pathologist. Years of experience studying  chronic myeloid leukemia cancer every day means your pathologist can accurately identify critical details, such as whether the cancer:

i.     Shows a high or low cell grade (rating that describes how different the cancer cells are from normal cells)

ii.     Is aggressive or slow growing

iii.     Contains particular chromosome changes that indicate the cancer subtype

c.     Your care team will also determine the stage of your cancer. Staging describes the size of the cancer and whether (and how far) it has spread. Staging is the most important step in planning your treatment. 

Stanford  chronic myeloid leukemia experts from several specialties meet as a team in weekly tumor boards. Based on the diagnosis, we determine our recommendations for the best sequence of treatment for each patient.

The oncologist who will begin your first treatment meets with you to discuss the recommended treatment plan. Together, you and your doctor decide on the treatment options that are right for you.

Learn more about treatment planning