Connect
← Return to CLL - newly diagnosed
Discussion
Comment receiving replies
I am a Canadian[ Calgary] and have been diagnosed with CLL.Will have more tests and will meet with a specialist in August. I am hoping my situation will be a slow motion CLL. I might have jumped then. I came across an outstanding interview with a Dr William Weirda the head of leukaemia at the MD Anderson Clinic . It was centered on treatments . From what I saw Chemo is very seldom used at that clinic. They have a number of inhibitors which seem to very effective in controlling CLL. They also use Venetaclox in conjunction with the inhibitors. If I need treatment and they want to use chemo I will be seeking a second opinion from either Mayo or MD Anderson . May-be I am jumping the gun. Any advice as to the cost of a second opinion this is not covered by insurance. It looks like a full second opinion from MD Anderson would be in the hundreds and wouldn't likely exceed a $1000. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated .
Replies to "I am a Canadian[ Calgary] and have been diagnosed with CLL.Will have more tests and will..."
Connect
Welcome to Connect, @lancaster1963. CLL is generally a slowly developing type of leukemia and from my understanding remains one of the more treatable forms of the disease. Some patients can go for years without any treatment. You’ll learn more with your specialist visit in August after review of your tests. They’ll be able to determine the stage of your disease and whether or not treatment will be necessary at this time. Early treatment has been shown not to be any more effective than waiting until necessary.
I don’t know what the charges would be for a 2nd opinion at Mayo but I can give you the information so you can potentially find out. Both Mayo and MD Anderson are top tier cancer centers so you can’t go wrong with either. Of course, being a hematology patient at Mayo-Rochester I might be a teeny bit biased. 😉
Here is a link to get you started with Mayo. http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63
By opening that link you’ll see the numbers for each Mayo Clinic. You can select your preferred location such as Rochester, MN Jacksonville, FL. Or Phoenix, AZ.
But as you said, you may be jumping too far ahead on this. It’s better to wait until you get all of the facts from your specialist. Were you having symptoms that led to your diagnosis or was this with a routine physical?