Which specialist treats chronic myeloid leukaemia?

A haematologist is a doctor who treats diseases of the blood and bone marrow. A haemato-oncologist has particular experience with blood cancers such as chronic myeloid leukaemia, also called CML. The team reviews blood counts, symptoms and molecular test results to understand how the condition is responding. Treatment commonly involves a targeted medicine taken over time, with changes guided by monitoring. A transplant specialist may join the team if an allogeneic stem cell transplant is being considered.

Start with your family doctor or the clinician who identified an abnormal blood result and ask for referral to a haematologist or haemato-oncologist. Bring previous blood-test reports, a list of medicines and details of new symptoms. Ask who will explain molecular monitoring, how prescriptions will be reviewed and whom to contact about side effects. You can read more about CML and targeted therapy before the appointment.

Contact your care team promptly for fever, unusual bruising or bleeding, marked weakness, breathlessness, severe abdominal discomfort or a sudden change in how you feel. Seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, difficulty breathing, fainting or severe chest pain. Night sweats and unexplained weight loss should be reported because they may help the team assess your condition, but these symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis.

Ask which clinician will coordinate your care, what blood and molecular tests are planned, how often results will be reviewed, what side effects need same-day advice, and when a transplant consultation would be relevant. Ask whether medicines, supplements or vaccinations need review.