Julio Chavez, MD, of the Department of Malignant Hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center, shares his advice for oncologists treating patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Chavez says to assess the patient as a whole—including genetics, poor prognosis, deletion—and remember that not all patients are the same. Young, fit patients can handle an intensive therapy regimen, while those with comorbidities need to be treated differently.

Additionally, Chavez says to not discount chemotherapy. Although new agents are causing excitement, chemotherapy still produces complete responses in patients with CLL.