Do you need a referral for CAR T-cell therapy?

Yes, CAR T-cell therapy generally requires referral to a specialist cellular therapy team for assessment. A haematologist or oncologist usually begins the process because the centre needs detailed information about your diagnosis, previous treatments, current health, and treatment response. A referral starts an evaluation; it does not by itself confirm that the therapy will be offered.

The cellular therapy team checks whether your cancer type and treatment history fit the programme's criteria. It also assesses organ function, infection risk, general fitness, available support, and whether another treatment is needed while the cells are prepared. The team will explain cell collection, laboratory preparation, conditioning treatment, infusion, monitoring, and follow-up.

Timing and coordination matter because CAR T-cell treatment is delivered by centres equipped to manage its specific effects. Your referring specialist remains involved while records, imaging, pathology information, and treatment history are transferred to the centre.

Ask your haematologist or oncologist whether a cellular therapy assessment is appropriate now. The referral should include your exact diagnosis, pathology results, prior medicines, treatment responses, recent scans, current medicines, allergies, and relevant medical conditions. Tell the team about infections, recent hospital care, and any practical difficulty staying close to the treatment centre.

Continue your current treatment unless your treating team changes it. Do not delay planned care while waiting for the specialist appointment. Keep contact details for both teams and confirm whom to call if your condition changes before assessment.

Before treatment, contact your cancer team urgently for fever, shaking chills, new breathlessness, confusion, unusual bleeding, or rapidly worsening weakness. After CAR T-cell infusion, follow the centre's emergency instructions immediately for fever, difficulty speaking, severe drowsiness, confusion, seizures, breathing difficulty, or fainting. Tell emergency clinicians that you have received CAR T-cell therapy and show any treatment alert information provided by the centre.

Ask why CAR T-cell therapy may or may not fit your diagnosis, what tests are needed, how your cancer will be managed during preparation, and where monitoring occurs after infusion. It is also useful to discuss caregiver support, travel arrangements, and the symptoms that require an immediate call.