Dr Daryl Tan (Tan Chen Lung) — Haematologist (Blood Cancers) in Singapore

Dr Daryl Tan is a haematologist in private practice in Singapore at the Clinic for Lymphoma, Myeloma and Blood Disorders, located at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre. His listed clinical interests are lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukaemia and other blood disorders.

He was awarded a Singapore Government Human Manpower Development Plan (HMDP) fellowship to pursue postdoctoral training and clinical research in lymphoma at Stanford University in the United States.

Clinical focus

Haematology — lymphoma & leukaemia.

Qualifications (as publicly listed)

MBBS (Singapore), MRCP (UK), M.Med (Internal Medicine), FAMS (Haematology).

Where they practise

• Clinic / practice: Clinic for Lymphoma, Myeloma and Blood Disorders — Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre
• Hospital / training affiliation(s): Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital

Getting to the clinic

Dr Daryl Tan practises at the Clinic for Lymphoma, Myeloma and Blood Disorders, located at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre on Irrawaddy Road in the Novena area. The nearest train station is Novena MRT (NS20) on the North-South Line, which sits beneath a shopping mall connected by sheltered walkways to the surrounding medical buildings. From the station, lifts and covered links make the walk to the specialist centre straightforward, which helps patients who may feel unwell or fatigued.

Novena is served by several bus routes, and taxis or ride-hailing services can drop you at the centre’s entrance, convenient for those attending frequent appointments. The specialist centre has a paid visitor carpark for those who drive, and spaces can be busy at clinic times, so allow extra time. On a first visit, arrive early to register and complete any paperwork, and confirm the exact suite when you book.

What lymphoma and leukaemia care covers

Haematology is the branch of medicine dealing with blood and the bone marrow that makes it. Dr Tan’s listed clinical interests are lymphoma, multiple myeloma, leukaemia and other blood disorders, and he was awarded a Singapore Government HMDP fellowship for postdoctoral training and clinical research in lymphoma at Stanford University. Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system; leukaemia affects the blood and bone marrow; and multiple myeloma involves the plasma cells. These conditions are diagnosed and treated quite differently, so accurate diagnosis is central.

Treatment may include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy or, in selected cases, stem-cell transplantation, depending on the precise diagnosis and how the disease behaves. Some blood cancers grow slowly and are monitored rather than treated straight away, while others need prompt treatment.

What to expect at a consultation

A first consultation usually involves a detailed history of your symptoms — such as lumps, fevers, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue or bleeding — along with your other conditions and medicines. The doctor will examine you, checking lymph nodes, the spleen and other relevant areas. Blood tests are central, and further investigations such as bone-marrow sampling, imaging or a lymph-node biopsy may be needed to reach a precise diagnosis.

Once the diagnosis is clear, the haematologist will explain the type of blood disorder, what it means, and the options for monitoring or treatment, including likely benefits, side effects and schedules. There is usually time for questions and to involve family in the discussion.

Preparing for your appointment

It helps to bring:

• Photo identification and any GP, polyclinic or specialist referral letter.
• Recent blood test results, scans, biopsy and pathology reports.
• A full list of current medicines and supplements with doses.
• A written timeline of your symptoms, including fevers, sweats or weight change.
• Notes on any previous blood disorders or relevant family history.
• A list of questions, and ideally someone to accompany you.

After your consultation and follow-up

After the consultation you will usually receive a plan that sets out the diagnosis or the further tests needed first. Blood disorders are monitored over time with examinations, blood tests, and scans where relevant. Some conditions are watched closely without immediate treatment, while others are treated and then followed for response and side effects. Referrals for transplantation assessment or supportive care may be arranged. Continuity of care matters, and a second opinion is reasonable. Seek urgent help for high fever, uncontrolled bleeding or bruising, severe breathlessness or any red-flag symptom your team has described.

Booking, referrals and fees

As a private specialist, Dr Tan can usually be seen without a referral, though a referral letter helps with background and with subsidy eligibility at public clinics. For eligible treatments and procedures, MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans may apply within set limits, while consultations are generally out of pocket. Treatment costs vary widely, so confirm fees and insurance coverage directly with the clinic before starting.

Common questions

What is the difference between lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma?

All are blood-related cancers but affect different cells: lymphoma the lymphatic system, leukaemia the blood and bone marrow, and myeloma the plasma cells. Each is diagnosed and treated differently.

Do all blood cancers need immediate treatment?

No. Some slow-growing conditions are monitored closely rather than treated straight away, while others need prompt treatment. Your haematologist will advise based on your diagnosis.

Why might I need a bone-marrow test?

Bone-marrow sampling helps confirm the exact type of blood disorder and how far it has progressed, which guides treatment decisions.

Can I get a second opinion?

Yes. Seeking a second opinion is common with blood cancers and a reasonable way to feel confident about your diagnosis and plan.

Why blood cancers are diagnosed so carefully

Blood cancers are a varied group, and two conditions that sound similar can behave and respond very differently, which is why reaching a precise diagnosis comes before any treatment decision. Lymphoma, leukaemia and myeloma each arise from different cells and are classified into many subtypes, some of which grow slowly while others progress quickly. Tests such as detailed blood analysis, bone-marrow sampling, imaging and biopsy build a complete picture, and modern laboratory techniques can identify specific features of the disease that influence both treatment choice and likely outlook. This careful, sometimes step-by-step approach can feel slow when you are anxious for answers, but getting the diagnosis right is what allows treatment to be matched accurately to your particular condition.

Understanding a watch-and-wait approach

For some slow-growing blood conditions, the haematologist may recommend close monitoring rather than starting treatment straight away. This can be unsettling, as it may seem like nothing is being done, but for certain diagnoses there is good evidence that treating immediately offers no advantage, while monitoring avoids unnecessary side effects. Under this approach you are reviewed regularly with examinations and blood tests, and treatment begins if and when the disease shows signs of needing it. Asking your haematologist to explain why this strategy suits your specific condition, and what signs would prompt a change, can make the plan easier to accept.

Related guides

• Cancer warning signs
• Cancer treatment cost

See also: our editorial directory of cancer specialists (oncologists & haematologists) in Singapore and our shortlist of oncology clinics.

This is an independent, factual profile compiled from the public sources listed above — not a paid listing, advertisement or endorsement. Details can change; always verify a doctor’s current registration on the Singapore Medical Council public register and confirm specifics directly with the clinic. This page is general information, not medical advice or a recommendation of any individual practitioner. See our editorial policy.