It never hurts to seek a second opinion. Most CLL patients will be initially diagnosed and cared for by community hematologists/oncologists whose experience with CLL will likely be limited. Very few CLL patients will be fortunate enough to have immediate access to a CLL specialist.

For those who don't have access to CLL specialists in their communities, it may be worthwhile to travel to see a specialist. Many specialists will work with local physicians in the treatment and management of CLL. A directory of CLL specialists published by the CLL Foundation can be found on line at, http://www.cllfoundation.org/DrDirectory.aspx.

Perhaps the most important times to seek a second opinion are at the critical junctures in CLL: initial diagnosis, the point of requiring treatment, and when treatment fails and the patient must look at other options.