Hematologist
CION Cancer Clinics
Which blood cancer records to carry to a new haematology centre | CION Cancer Clinics
Carry the original reports, not only the discharge summary. A new haematologist needs the bone marrow report, flow cytometry and genetic test results, your blood counts in date order, a dated record of every treatment and transfusion, and the scan images. This checklist explains each document, how to get it from your current hospital, and what to do if one is missing. At CION Cancer Clinics, our haematology team supports patients and families through treatment, cost questions and life at home.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Basudev PokhrelConsultant Haematologist · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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On this page
- What should you carry to a new haematology centre?
- Which documents does the new haematologist actually need?
- How do you collect these records from your current hospital?
- What do the report names mean in plain language?
- What do families get wrong about carrying records?
- What else should go in the bag?
- What if some records are missing?
- Common questions about carrying blood cancer records
The short answer
What should you carry to a new haematology centre?
Carry the reports that made the diagnosis, not only the summary that describes it. That means the bone marrow report, the flow cytometry and genetic test reports, your blood counts in date order, a written record of every treatment given, and any scans on a disc or link.
Why the original reports matter more than the summary
A discharge summary is one doctor's short version of a long story. It often says "AML" or "lymphoma" without the details a new haematologist needs to check the diagnosis and the plan. Blood cancers are divided into many subtypes, and the subtype decides the treatment. That detail lives in the laboratory reports themselves.
Who this checklist is for
It is written for a patient, parent or adult son or daughter taking a blood cancer or serious blood disorder to a second opinion, or moving care to another centre. If you have only a routine blood test with one abnormal value, you will not need most of this. Take that report to your family doctor first.
Keep the originals at home. Carry clear photocopies, and bring the originals only if the new centre asks to see them.The checklist
Which documents does the new haematologist actually need?
Sort your papers into these groups before you travel. It saves time in the consultation and shows quickly what is missing.
The diagnosis reports
These are the reports a second opinion is built on. Ask for the full signed report, not a printout of the final line.
- Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy report
- Lymph node or tissue biopsy report, if one was done
- Peripheral smear report
The subtype and genetic reports
These tell the team which kind of blood cancer it is and how it is likely to behave. They often come from a separate laboratory and are easy to lose.
- Flow cytometry or immunophenotyping
- Cytogenetics, FISH and molecular tests
Blood counts over time
A single count says little. A run of counts from before diagnosis to today shows the direction things are moving, which matters more than any one value.
Arrange them oldest first and write the date on top of each page.The treatment record
What was given, when, and how you coped with it. A new team cannot plan the next step safely without this.
- Chemotherapy or targeted therapy chart with dates
- Transfusion record and any reactions
- Current medicine list, including non-cancer medicines
Scans and response tests
Carry the images, not only the written reports. A disc or download link lets the new radiologist compare scans side by side.
- PET-CT or CT on disc, with reports
- Any MRD or response marrow reports
Not sure whether this applies to you?
Ask an oncologistGetting your records
How do you collect these records from your current hospital?
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Ask the medical records desk, in writing
Every hospital has a records department. Write a short request with the patient's name, hospital number and the reports you need. Keep a copy of the request.
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Ask the laboratory for the full reports
Flow cytometry and genetic tests are often sent to an outside laboratory. If the hospital file only has a summary line, ask which laboratory did the test. Many laboratories will share the full report with the patient on request.
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Request the slides and blocks if they are asked for
The new haematologist or pathologist may want to look at the actual marrow slides or tissue block. The pathology department usually releases these against a written request and a signed receipt. Only do this if the new centre asks, and ask how they should be packed.
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Collect the scan images
Ask the imaging department for a disc or download link of every scan, not only the latest one. Check the disc opens on a computer before you travel.
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Make one folder
Put everything in date order, with a single page on top listing the diagnosis, treatments and dates as you understand them.
On your reports
What do the report names mean in plain language?
- Bone marrow aspirate and biopsy
- A sample of the liquid and solid parts of the marrow, usually taken from the back of the hip bone. Most blood cancer diagnoses rest on it.
- Flow cytometry (immunophenotyping)
- A test that sorts cells by the markers on their surface. It tells the team exactly which type of cell has become abnormal.
- Cytogenetics and FISH
- Tests that look for changes in the chromosomes inside the abnormal cells. The results often shape how intensive treatment needs to be.
- Molecular tests
- Tests for specific gene changes. Some decide whether a targeted medicine is an option.
- MRD (measurable residual disease)
- A very sensitive test done after treatment to look for cancer cells left behind that ordinary tests cannot see.
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Commonly believed
What do families get wrong about carrying records?
"The discharge summary has everything the new doctor needs."
It rarely does. A summary names the diagnosis but usually leaves out the subtype, the genetic findings and the exact dates of each treatment. Without the original reports, the new team may have to repeat tests that were already done.
"Photos of the reports on WhatsApp are good enough."
Photos help as a backup. But pages get cut off, tables become unreadable and dates get lost. Bring clear paper copies or the original PDF files as well.
"Old reports do not matter once treatment has started."
The reports from before treatment are often the most important ones. They show what the disease looked like at the start, and later results are measured against them. Carry them even if they look out of date.
"Asking for our records will upset our doctor."
The records are yours to ask for. Seeking a second opinion is a normal part of blood cancer care, and most haematologists expect it. A polite written request is all that is needed.
On the day
What else should go in the bag?
- Photo identity proof for the patient and the person accompanying them
- Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS, EHS or insurance card and policy papers
- All current medicines in their strips or bottles
- A written list of questions, with space for the answers
- The name and phone number of the current treating doctor
- Any referral letter, if your current doctor gave one
Being straight with you
What if some records are missing?
Go anyway. A missing report does not stop a second opinion. It may mean the new team asks for a test to be repeated, or asks your first hospital for the slides directly. Tell them plainly what you could not get, rather than hoping they will not notice.
What a folder of records cannot do
Carrying every paper does not decide the outcome of the review. A new haematologist may agree with the plan, suggest a change, or say that more testing is needed before anyone can be sure. Good records speed this up, but do not replace examining the patient.
What CION's haematology team does with them
At CION, the haematology team reads the records, checks the diagnosis and plan, and presents the case at a tumour board. Where a test or treatment is done at another qualified centre, the team helps coordinate it. Ask any centre which tests it runs itself and which it sends out.
Do not stop or change any medicine while you are waiting for a second opinion. Keep to the plan your current team set until a doctor tells you otherwise.Questions we are asked
Common questions about carrying blood cancer records
Can I send the reports before the appointment?
Usually yes, and it helps. Sending clear scans or PDFs ahead lets the team see what is there and tell you what is missing before you travel. Still carry the paper copies and discs on the day, because a file that opened on your phone may not open on a hospital computer.
Will my current hospital refuse to give me the slides?
Most pathology departments release slides or blocks against a written request, often with a signed receipt, and some keep a backup slide. Rules differ between hospitals. If they hesitate, ask the new centre to write a short letter requesting the material. That usually settles it quickly.
Do I need the actual scan images, or are the reports enough?
Bring the images. A written scan report is one radiologist's reading. The new team may want to compare the pictures from before and after treatment themselves. Ask for a disc or a download link for every scan, and check it opens before you leave home.
My father's records are in Telugu and English. Is that a problem?
No. Most laboratory and scan reports are in English anyway. If a handwritten prescription or a note is hard to read, write down what you understand it to say and bring it alongside. A family member who was present during treatment is often the most useful record of all.
Should the patient come, or can a family member go alone?
A family member can often start a records review alone, which saves a tiring journey. But a full second opinion usually needs the haematologist to see and examine the patient. Ask the centre in advance which kind of appointment you are booking, so nobody travels for nothing.
What if the diagnosis was made years ago?
Bring the old reports if you can find them. They show what the disease looked like at the start, which helps the new team judge any change since. If they are lost, say so. The team may ask the first laboratory for a copy or advise which tests should be repeated.
Will the new centre repeat all the tests?
Not necessarily. Good records often mean fewer repeat tests. Some tests may still be repeated if the old sample was unclear, the result is old, or the disease may have changed. Ask why a test is being repeated. It is a fair question and the answer should be clear.
Does Aarogyasri or insurance cover a second opinion?
It depends on the scheme and the policy. Aarogyasri, CGHS, ECHS, EHS, PM-JAY and cashless insurance each have their own rules for consultations and repeat tests, and these change. Carry your card and policy papers, and check the current rules with the centre and the scheme before you travel.
Your Haematologist
Meet CION's haematologist. One specialist for your blood report and your plan.
Dr. Basudev Pokhrel reviews blood counts, transfusion needs and blood disorders, and works with the CION tumour board on blood cancers.
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Accreditation and empanelment
- NABH
- NABL
- ISO 9001:2015
- ArogyaSri empanelled
- CGHS accepted
- ECHS accepted
- EHS accepted
- Major cashless insurers
Paying for it
Insurance, schemes and payment
What you actually pay usually differs a great deal from the sticker figure.
AarogyasriEmpanelled. Bring the card and a referral where you have one.
CGHS / ECHS / EHSAccepted at CION centres for eligible treatment.
Cashless insuranceMost major insurers are empanelled. Pre-authorisation is handled by our desk.
Self-payItemised estimate given before treatment starts. No EMI scheme exists.
Where to find us
Our centres in and around Hyderabad
Addressed by landmark, because that is how this city navigates. A haematology consultation can be booked at any of these centres through one helpline, and your team will tell you where each test or treatment takes place.
Warangal
Vizag
Sources
- Cancer.Net — Seeking a Second Opinion
- National Cancer Institute — Finding Health Care Services
- Leukaemia & Lymphoma Society — Blood cancer information and support
- Blood Cancer UK — Blood cancer information
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
Related pages
Second Opinions and Choosing a Haematology CentreThe full guide to getting a second opinionWhat a Haematology Second Opinion ReviewsWhat the new team does with these recordsMoving Your Care to Another Centre Mid-TreatmentIf you are switching hospitals, not only asking a questionGetting a Second Opinion Without Offending Your DoctorHow to ask for your records politely
Talk to us
Not sure which reports you have?
Tell us what has been found so far and we will help you work out what is missing and reach the right haematologist. One helpline serves every CION centre.