People who have recently received a diagnosis of a blood cancer often have questions about the disease, the prognosis and the treatments available. This section of the Web site is arranged to provide information to answer some of these questions and assist patients in finding additional resources.

It is important to learn about the disease, but also to learn about your insurance coverage, healthcare facilities and how to obtain support for yourself and your family. Specific questions may also be answered by information specialists at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Information Resource Center. The center is open every business day, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, at (800) 955-4572.

The word “diagnosis” means to distinguish or identify a disease. Patients usually arrive at the doctor’s office with a series of complaints or symptoms. Through questioning and examination the physician may also observe abnormal “signs,” such as an enlarged spleen. The results of laboratory tests provide further information. The accumulated evidence leads the physician to a decision about the final diagnosis.

Patients who receive a diagnosis often wish to learn more about the disease and the tests used to determine the diagnosis. This section is here to assist.