Rajesh Behl, MD

Nobody wants to ever have someone tell you that you have Leukemia. But if you’re battling that disease Dr. Behl is definitely the guy you want on your side. He and his colleagues are up to date on the best treatment plans available and are very thorough and compassionate.
He’s serious and professional but also has a great sense of humor which helped me a lot getting through my treatments. A very valuable asset to the Bay Area!

Dr. Behl is amazing. He’s a gifted oncologist and hematologist. In january 2015 (a couple of months ago) my husband was diagnosed with Non-​Hodgkins lymphoma. I was in Texas when he was taken to Alta Bates or else I would’ve had him taken to UCSF immediately. Why? At the time I felt that only a big name cancer center had the depth of experience, success record, latest info – you name it – when it came to something awful like cancer. How fortunate I wasn’t around to have misdirected things; Dr. Behl is a perfect match for my husband. This isn’t to say there aren’t super wonderful bay-​area oncologists helping people, but husband and Dr. Behl were/​are meant for each other. This match would’ve never happened if a hospitalist at Alta Bates (Ashby location) hadn’t dared to speak up upon hearing my misgivings about the oncologist initially assigned. The ‘assigned’ oncologist saw my husband once and then sorta disappeared; even his office staff seemed difficult to connect with. After hearing my misgivings a 2^nd time, the hospitalist suggested we change to Dr. Behl. A rather political move yet – due to causes and conditions, karma, good luck etc, –it happened. Not easily swayed into blindly trusting someone just because they’re called «doctor» I also wanted a 2^nd opinion. Dr. Behl was very comfortable about this; he even provided the phone number of his staff member who would help arrange it. Of course the 2^nd opinion would’ve come from a UCSF or Stanford oncologist, but now, like my husband, i have great confidence in Dr. Behl. Recently I learned that the cancer patients at UCSF helen diller cancer center often come to Dr. B for 2^nd opinions.
During the first chemo treatment my husband’s white count plummeted and he started running a fever. Dr. B consulted with other oncologists plus a pharmacologist or two about how best to tweak the chemo-​treatment for my husband, given his age, personal fitness + his existing heart and respiratory challenges. This is an indication that Dr. Behl is open minded, seeks input from others & then makes a decision based on the latest information plus his experience, expertise, (and probably his intuition too — if ever you meet him you’ll sense what i’m saying; a musician friend says it seems Dr. B approaches medicine like a musician, tuning everything per the climate, environment, per the instrument’s needs. In this case, per the patient’s individual needs. (The oncologist initially assigned, although «famous’ has an underground reputation for giving the strongest chemo treatment possible to everyone, irrespective of the patient’s unique physical characteristics and existing health challenges)
Dr. Behl partners with Dr. Krijanovski; so the few times Dr. Behl hasn’t appeared for the daily check in with my husband, Dr. K has.(Dr. Krijanovski is quite the snappy dresser, perfect posture, great Russian accent – reminiscent of a WW II movie character) He’s more serious than Dr. Behl, but like Dr. B is super intelligent, watchful, devoted to his patients. I feel the two men complement each other quite well If you are diagnosed with cancer Dr. Behl is the person you’ll want to accompany you in the journey. PS: he also has a gentle sense of humor & an air of mischievousness about him.