After treatment and remission

Medical records

Years of leukaemia treatment produce hundreds of test results, reports and summaries. This topic explains which documents matter, how to organise them and how to keep them safe.

Last updated: 14 October 2026~2 min read

A neat folder with glowing coloured tabs on a dark desk. — **Figure 1.**Divide your records into sections.

01Short answer

Medical records are the history of your illness and treatment. They are needed by a new doctor, another clinic, emergency services, or for insurance or work. The most important are: diagnosis and bone marrow reports, immunophenotype and genetic results (karyotype, FISH, molecular), the treatment summary (medicines and doses, radiation, transplant), hospital discharge summaries, blood group, allergies and vaccinations. It helps to keep documents in a folder by date and subject, make digital copies and protect your personal data. In many countries patients have the right to receive a copy of their medical information.

02Simple explanation

Records are the history of your treatment.

The most important are diagnosis, genetics and the treatment summary.

Arrange them by date.

Make digital copies.

Protect your data.

03Scientific explanation

Personal health record: MedlinePlus describes it as a collection of information managed by the patient; it helps in emergencies and with new doctors.

Right of access: in systems such as the NHS, patients may view their records and obtain copies.

Treatment summary: ASCO recommends a written summary at the end of treatment with medicines, cumulative doses and complications.

Long-term value: the COG guidelines base late-effect checks on exact details of the treatment received.

04What happens in the body?

Why do records matter?

Years later a new doctor needs to know what you received and how much. For example, the total anthracycline dose sets the schedule for heart checks.

How to organise a folder

Create sections: diagnosis, genetics, treatment, hospital summaries, tests, imaging, vaccinations. Within each section arrange documents by date.

Digital copies

Photograph or scan every new document and store it somewhere secure. Name files clearly: the date and the type of document.

Sheets dissolving into light particles rising into a protected sphere. — **Figure 2.**A digital copy protects against loss.

Privacy

Medical data is personal. Protect files with a password, do not post them publicly and show them only to people you trust.

A glowing padlock around a document icon. — **Figure 3.**Medical data is private.

If a document is missing

Request a copy from the clinic through an official request. Laboratory results can also be requested separately.

Documents in another language

If you were treated abroad, keeping translations of the main documents makes things easier with a new doctor.

05From scattered papers to an organised archive

Steps to organise your records.

1GatherAll documents are collected in one place.

2SortArranged by date and subject.

3Digital copyScanned and saved.

4ShareShown to a new doctor.

OrderWhat you need is found fast.

SecurityData is protected.

ContinuityEvery new doctor sees the full picture.

06Key documents (simplified)

Document	Why it is needed	Where to get it
Diagnosis report	Type of leukaemia	Haematology
Genetic results	Risk and monitoring	Laboratory
Treatment summary	Late-effect checks	Haematologist
Transplant details	Donor, vaccinations	Transplant centre
Blood group, allergies	Emergencies	Hospital

* Complete the list with your doctor.

07Key terms

Medical record: Official information about illness and treatment.
Discharge summary: A summary given when leaving hospital.
Cumulative dose: The total amount of a medicine received.
Immunophenotype: Identifying the leukaemia type by cell-surface markers.
Digital copy: An electronic copy of a document.
Privacy: Protection of personal data.

08Key points

Records are the history of your treatment.
Keep the most important ones separately.
Arrange by date.
Make digital copies.
Do not give away originals.
Protect your data.

09Frequently asked questions

Which document should I always carry?

A short summary: diagnosis, medicines, allergies and your doctor’s number.

Can I throw the paper copies away?

Even with digital copies, keeping the key originals is advised.

The clinic refuses to give me my records. What can I do?

Make a formal written request; in many countries this is a patient right.

Is it useful to keep a table of results?

Yes, for comparing year by year (“Comparing year by year”).

Is it safe to keep them on my phone?

With a password and encryption, yes — but keep a backup too.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

Which document should I always carry?
Can I throw the paper copies away?
The clinic refuses to give me my records. What can I do?
Is it useful to keep a table of results?
Is it safe to keep them on my phone?

My questions

12Sources

MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Personal Health Records
Cancer.Net (ASCO). Follow-Up Care After Cancer Treatment
Cancer.Net (ASCO). ASCO Cancer Treatment and Survivorship Care Plans
National Cancer Institute (NCI). Follow-Up Medical Care
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Long-Term and Late Effects of Treatment
Children's Oncology Group. Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers
National Cancer Institute. Facing Forward: Life After Cancer Treatment
National Cancer Institute. Coping: survivorship
Cancer.Net (ASCO). Long-Term Side Effects of Cancer Treatment
Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, 2024. International Recommendations for Screening and Preventative Practices for Long-Term Survivors of Transplantation and Cellular Therapy: A 2023 Update

Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.

Last updated: 14 October 2026← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →