The decision to call a cancer centre for the first time is not a small one. For many patients — and for the family members who often make that first call — it represents months of worry, hours of research, and considerable courage.

We understand that walking into a clinic you have never visited before, to discuss something as serious as cancer treatment, feels daunting. One of the things we consistently hear from patients after their first appointment at Denvax is: “I wish I had come sooner. I didn’t realise it would feel this way.”

This article is for people who are considering coming to us but are not sure what to expect. We want to demystify the process so you arrive prepared, confident, and able to get the most out of the conversation.

Before You Book: Is a Consultation the Right Next Step?

A first consultation at Denvax is appropriate if:

– You or a family member have received a cancer diagnosis at any stage and want to understand whether immunotherapy is a relevant option
– You have been told that conventional treatment options are limited or have been exhausted
– You are currently undergoing treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, targeted therapy) and want to explore whether adding immunotherapy would be beneficial
– You have completed treatment and want to discuss whether immunotherapy maintenance can reduce recurrence risk
– You are seeking a second opinion on your current treatment plan from specialists with deep immunotherapy expertise

You do not need to have already decided to pursue immunotherapy to book a consultation. Many patients come to us specifically to understand their options before making any decision. That is exactly what the initial consultation is for.

What to Bring to Your First Appointment?

To make your consultation as productive as possible, bring the following:

Medical Records:
– All pathology and biopsy reports (tumour type, grade, receptor status, any molecular/genomic testing results)
– Recent imaging: CT scan reports and images (CD or digital file), PET-CT if done, MRI if relevant
– Any surgical reports if surgery has been performed
– Discharge summaries from any hospital admissions

Treatment History:
– A list or documentation of all prior cancer treatments — chemotherapy drugs used and dates, radiation therapy records, targeted therapy history
– Dates of treatment and any notes on how you responded or any adverse effects

Current Medications:
– A complete list of all medications you are currently taking, including doses
– Any supplements, herbal preparations, or over-the-counter medications
– Any steroids or immunosuppressant medications (this is particularly important for immunotherapy planning)

Personal Information:
– Your current symptoms and when they began or changed
– Any recent blood tests or investigations done elsewhere
– Your health insurance documents if you wish to discuss coverage

Questions:
Write your questions down before the appointment. When you are in the room, it is easy to forget things that felt important when you were preparing at home. A written list ensures you address everything on your mind.

Who You Will Meet at Denvax?

Your initial consultation at Denvax is with Dr. Jamal A. Khan and Dr. Sharmin Yaqin, or one of our senior clinical team members. This is not a junior consultation. We believe the first conversation is one of the most important ones — and it deserves the full attention of experienced clinicians.

Dr. Khan and Dr. Yaqin bring complementary perspectives to every case. Dr. Khan’s expertise lies particularly in the clinical application of Dendritic Cell Therapy and treatment protocol design. Dr. Yaqin’s directorial role encompasses both clinical practice and the operational standards that govern how every patient is treated. Together, they have designed immunotherapy protocols for hundreds of patients across India.

You are also welcome to have family members or a caregiver present with you. Cancer treatment decisions affect families, not just patients, and having support in the room often helps everyone to feel more comfortable and to retain information better.

What Happens During the Consultation?

Part 1: Understanding Your Case (30–45 minutes)

The consultation begins with Dr. Khan and Dr. Yaqin reviewing your medical history and current situation. We read through the records you have brought and ask questions to build a complete picture. This includes:

– The full history of your diagnosis — when it was discovered, how it was confirmed, what investigations have been done
– Your current symptoms and how they affect your daily life
– Your previous treatment history and how you responded
– Your current health status — comorbidities, medications, energy levels
– What your existing oncologist or medical team has recommended
– What your goals and priorities are for treatment

This last point matters more than many patients expect. Treatment goals are not always the same for every person. Some patients are focused on achieving the longest possible survival at any cost. Others prioritise quality of life alongside survival. Some are dealing with a family member who is elderly and want to minimise treatment burden. Understanding your priorities helps us design a treatment approach that is genuinely aligned with what matters to you.

Part 2: Clinical Assessment

We conduct a focused clinical examination relevant to your condition. This is not a full physical examination — it is targeted to the aspects of your health that are directly relevant to immunotherapy suitability. We assess performance status, evaluate any areas of concern from your history, and note findings relevant to treatment planning.

Part 3: Review of Investigations

We go through your imaging and pathology in detail. If there are specific biomarker tests we would recommend that have not yet been done — PD-L1 expression, MSI status, TMB, or others — we identify these. Sometimes the information available is not yet sufficient to give a definitive recommendation, and we will be clear about what additional information is needed.

Part 4: Our Assessment and Recommendation

After reviewing everything, we give you our honest assessment:

If immunotherapy is appropriate for your situation: We explain which type, why, what the protocol would look like, what the realistic expected benefits are, what the side effect profile is, how long treatment would take, and what monitoring would be involved.

If immunotherapy is not the best approach for your situation: We explain why and what alternatives may be worth considering. We do not pressure anyone into treatment they do not need or are unlikely to benefit from.

If we need more information before we can advise: We outline exactly what additional investigations are needed and why.

Part 5: Questions and Answers

The floor is entirely yours. We answer every question you have written down — and any others that arise from the consultation. There is no clock being watched. We will not move to the next appointment until we are satisfied that you have the information you need.

Common questions patients ask include:
– How many cycles of treatment will I need?
– Will I be able to continue working or travelling during treatment?
– Can I stay on my existing cancer treatment while doing immunotherapy?
– What happens if treatment does not work?
– What does the follow-up process look like?
– What will the total cost of treatment be?

No question is too small or too technical. We would rather you ask a question that seems basic than leave with an unanswered concern.

Part 6: Next Steps

At the end of the consultation, we agree on clear next steps. This might be:
– Scheduling the start of a treatment protocol
– Ordering specific investigations before a final decision is made
– Providing a written summary of our assessment for you to take to your existing oncologist
– Booking a follow-up in a defined timeframe

You leave the consultation with a clear understanding of where things stand and what happens next — not a vague “we’ll be in touch.”

After the Consultation: How We Stay in Touch

The end of the initial consultation is not the end of the conversation. At Denvax, our clinical team is accessible to patients throughout their treatment journey:

– WhatsApp and direct phone contact with our clinical coordinator for practical questions and appointment scheduling
– Direct access to the clinical team for concerning symptoms or urgent clinical questions between appointments
– Written treatment summaries provided after consultations so you have a record of what was discussed
– Regular scheduled reviews throughout treatment where results are reviewed and the protocol is assessed and adjusted if needed

We know cancer treatment is not a 9-to-5 concern. We design our access and communication accordingly.

For Patients Travelling from Outside Delhi

Denvax’s primary centre is in Delhi. We see patients from across India and from Indian diaspora communities internationally. For patients travelling:

– We can conduct an initial consultation via video call using your medical records, before you travel to Delhi for treatment
– For international patients, we can coordinate a condensed visit that combines consultation, testing, and initial treatment in as few trips as possible
– Our team can assist with practical guidance on logistics for patients and families coming from other cities

What Patients Say About Their First Consultation?

The most consistent feedback we receive from patients after their first appointment is relief. Relief at having clear information. Relief at being spoken to directly rather than in jargon or careful non-answers. Relief at being treated as an intelligent adult who can handle an honest conversation.

We hear “I wish I had come sooner” more often than any other phrase.

If you have been sitting with questions — about whether immunotherapy is right for you, about whether there are options you haven’t yet been told about, about what a treatment at Denvax would actually look like — we would rather you have those answers than continue without them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a referral from my oncologist to book a consultation at Denvax?
A: No referral is required. Any patient or family member can contact us directly to book an appointment. You can come to us alongside existing treatment from another centre, or as your primary point of contact for oncology.

Q: Can I book a consultation if I am currently receiving chemotherapy elsewhere?
A: Yes. We see many patients who are mid-treatment elsewhere and want to understand whether immunotherapy can be added to their existing regimen. Immunotherapy and chemotherapy can often be used together. We will advise on whether your current protocol is compatible with adding immunotherapy.

Q: How long does the initial consultation take?
A: We allocate 60–90 minutes for an initial consultation. Complex cases can take longer. We do not rush these appointments.

Q: Can the initial consultation be done by video call?
A: Yes. For patients outside Delhi, an initial consultation via video call is available. We review your records and conduct a structured discussion. If treatment is appropriate, you would then visit us in Delhi for the initial treatment phase.

Q: What does the initial consultation cost?
A: Please contact our team directly for current consultation fees. In all cases, the consultation fee is applied toward your treatment cost if you proceed.

Q: Can I bring a second family member to provide support?
A: Absolutely. We welcome family members and caregivers. Cancer treatment affects families, and having support during the consultation helps patients process information and make decisions more confidently.

Q: What if I decide not to proceed with treatment at Denvax after the consultation?
A: That is entirely your choice. Our job at consultation is to give you accurate, honest information — not to pressure you into any particular decision. Many patients come for a second opinion and return to their existing oncologist with better information. That outcome is a success from our perspective.

Book Your Consultation

If you are ready to take the next step — or if you simply want to understand your options better — we invite you to book a consultation with Dr. Khan and Dr. Yaqin at Denvax.

Clarity about your situation is worth more than anxiety in a waiting room.

Book Your First Consultation at Denvax →

You can also call or WhatsApp our team directly to ask preliminary questions before booking if that feels more comfortable. We understand that the first step is often the hardest one.