Calling DCUM docs

[Anonymous]

If you had some blood values that were off, and may or may not be cancer…would you be equally comfortable going to someone board certified in medical oncology or only hematology?

[Anonymous]

What values are you talking about specifically?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What values are you talking about specifically?

+ 1

[Anonymous]

Lymphocytes

[Anonymous]

There aren't many benign hematologist specialists.

Most hematologists are oncologist/hematologists.

But even the first group probably studied oncology as well.

[Anonymous]

What is the white count and what are the lymphocytes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There aren't many benign hematologist specialists.

Most hematologists are oncologist/hematologists.

But even the first group probably studied oncology as well.

+1 or they would refer you to hematology oncology if your values and/or symptoms warranted it.

Can you say why you’re asking the question? Do you trust your current medical provider/team?

[Anonymous]

Which labs? It depends.

[Anonymous]

What are your exact labs? WBC? Etc and why did you get the labs? What did your pcp say?

[Anonymous]

Hematologists work closely with oncologists, but that's not their only purview. Your PCP will send you to the specialist that they think will best address the more serious/immediate risks given what bloodwork is abnormal. Alternatively, they can consult with specialists privately and do more in-depth bloodwork to know where to send you next.

My daughter's very abnormal bloodwork was due to lupus, an auto-immune disease generally overseen by a rheumatologist. We bypassed the hemotologist, because she had gastro symptoms, so we did pediatrician - ped gastro - ped rheumatologist. The first two were just knowledgeable enough to send us to the next.

[Anonymous]

I have a lot of weird bloodwork due to some autoimmune issues and I see a hematologist annually. It’s in an oncology department. They are the experts.

[Anonymous]

Don’t want to get into my specifics.

My doc mentioned two referrals (and I could choose). Only one is board certified in hematology. Perhaps the two specialties are somewhat interchangeable (to work someone up)?

[Anonymous]

If it might be leukemia or lymphoma- you don’t need someone board certified in hematology. If someone is board certified in oncology, and your PCP is recommending, you should be in good hands.

[Anonymous]

Most oncologist are board certified in both. No one would treat you in something they aren’t trained in so id go based on reputation and fit.

[Anonymous]

My DH had abnormally high WBC found in a physical and he was referred I think to an oncology hemotologist for further testing. Which turned out to be CML-a highly treatable or managed leukemia. There is so much advancement now with blood cancers.