Ask The Doctor Archives

February 13, 2022

Why I would ask for such services?

I have heard that hospice care can be for much longer than just for the last few days or weeks of life, but I don’t understand how that works and why I would ask for such services?

February 13, 2022

Insurance Coverage

Ask the Hospice/Palliative Care Doctor Does insurance cover palliative care or hospice? Answer from Dr. Ratner: Hospice is a specific covered benefit in almost every insurance policy, including Medicare and Medicaid. In almost all cases, the eligibility and benefits follow the Medicare rules. Thus, eligibility is generally based upon physicians’

January 17, 2022

Evidence for fatigue in patients on W&W who are Stage A/0

Ask the Doctor Question: I was diagnosed with CLL in 2015 and on watch and wait, with good bloods. I am Stage A/0. I was a Specialist Biomedical Scientist in the NHS before having to retire due to chronic fatigue and frequent flu like symptoms. I have read that

January 17, 2022

Could CLL be a reason for body temperature changes? Should I do anything about this?

Ask the Doctor Question: At the end of 4/2021 I discovered my lymph node under the chin a little enlarged (2cm). The histology of this lymph node showed SLL/CLL. My lymphocytes count is 4.1×10⁹ and percentage among white cells is 49.2%. The phenotyping was also done. According to Ukrainian

January 17, 2022

Is there a causal relationship between CLL and Scarring Alopecia/ Lichen Planopilaris?

Ask the Doctor Question: Is there a causal relationship between CLL and Scarring Alopecia/ Lichen Planopilaris? Scarring Alopecia is categorized by the types of cells that attack the hair follicles: lymphocytes, neutrophils or mixed cells. (I was diagnosed with Stage 0 CLL in 1/2018 and Scarring Alopecia in 5/2021.)

January 17, 2022

I’m in remission and worried that stopping my therapy will affect my remission.

Ask the Doctor Question: I am taking Calquence for CLL. I stopped taking predison last January and started having muscle and leg pain. It’s been six-months and even with exercise it has not improved. My doctor cut me down to one dose of Calquence instead of two to see

January 17, 2022

Why do I get night sweats?

Ask the Doctor Question: Why do I get night sweats? Answer: Part of the reason you have night sweats when you have chronic lymphocytic leukemia is because your body turns up its internal thermostat to fight the cancer. It is somewhat of the same as an inflammatory response when your

January 17, 2022

Should I be concerned about two enlarged lymph nodes?

Ask the Doctor Question: Should I be concerned about two enlarged lymph nodes in my abdomen, celac, and periportal. I had one removed during an unrelated surgery. Lab results: 9/24/2018 of that lymph node: RIGHT CRUS LYMPH NODE: Sections show a bisected lymph node with associated fibroadipose tissue. The

January 17, 2022

Should CLL patients get annual mammograms?

Ask the Doctor Question: Should CLL patients get annual mammograms? Answer: Yes. Those with CLL must remain diligent with all secondary cancer screenings. Screening for breast cancer with a mammogram would be one of those. This is because those with CLL are more at risk for many secondary cancers, simply