I am deeply appreciative and indebted to Dr.Rajesh Behl and the Sutter Health Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center team for their unparalleled care. Dr. Behl first saw my husband as an inpatient at Summit/Alta Bates Hospital after he was transported by ambulance and his labs returned abnormal. With Dr. Behl's experience, knowledge, and brilliance, he quickly diagnosed my husband with a rare blood disorder, and he was abreast of the latest research and determined the best treatment options. I especially appreciated Dr. Behl and his team's attention to detail; they reviewed and monitored his medical history to ensure they considered all systems. My husband was in the hospital for six weeks, and the bottom line is Dr. Behl and his team cured my husband. I don't think my husband would be alive if someone else had been taking care of him. Initially, when we heard of his rare diagnosis, we contemplated transferring to one of the large academic centers. I want to add that many in our family are medical providers, so we look more critically at our care. However, after speaking with others treated at these centers, they said they were lost in the system and felt they did not have anyone coordinating their care. Because of our confidence and trust in Dr. Behl and the Alta Bates Comprehensive Cancer Center team, we chose to stay put, which was the right decision. After discharge, Dr. Behl & the outstanding team continued my husband's treatment as an outpatient at their center in Berkeley. Every aspect of the care rendered at this facility has been excellent. From the complimentary valet parking and super helpful parking attendants to the receptionist who greets you by name, the medical assistants, phlebotomists, nurses, the scheduling crew, and the excellent physicians, everyone is top-notch; handoffs are seamless. If we or a family member ever need this type of care again, we will return for treatment at the Alta Bates/Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center in a heartbeat. We will be forever indebted to Dr. Behl and his team for their professional, competent, kind care. read more

Dr. Behl saved my life. My multiple myeloma is in remission because of the care and work of Dr. Behl and his staff. Without their work, I would not be alive to write this review. I am now looking forward to living life well for many years to come. Dr. Behl is a fine doctor and an expert in his field. He is also a good man with an excellent sense of humor. I recommend Dr. Behl to anyone needing an oncologist. read more

After six months of lab work and seeing Dr. Behl, I have what is called an unremarkable condition. This means nothing is wrong. Lol! I like Dr. Behl. On time, professional, and quick to the point. read more

Dr Behl is a most caring genius among doctors. He is a skilled diagnostician, a caring man with a great sense of humor. He is committed to his patients, who reap the benefits of his vast and yet specific knowledge. A lovely man and a great doctor. read more

I was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma as the doctors were working to determine the cause of my kidney failure. Dr. Behl was able to oversee my treatment as the local doctors were not certain of how to treat my cancer when I was nearing the need for dialysis. Dr. Behl was willing to take my case and successfully treated my cancer. I have been in remission for over four years, thanks to his excellent care and treatment. His staff is caring and compasssionate, he is very thorough and almost always answered my questions before I had a chance to ask them. I also enjoyed his sense of humor along the way. I highly recommend him and his team if you need cancer care. read more

Dr. Behl is very patient and very encouraging. He got my mother through treatment and was very caring. He made sure our whole family was onboard and understood the treatment options before it even started. This made us feel like we were a part of the whole process, instead of on the outside. read more

Dr. Rajesh Behl is absolutely amazing! He is definitely above and beyond 5 Stars. The Herrick Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) is convenient, accessible and consistently delivers high quality service. Since being released from Stanford and Alta Bates Intensive Care Units in late 2013, I have been treated at the Herrick CCC, on an out patient basis, by Dr. Behl. After 18 months of blood treatments, infusions, transfusions and medications, I was able to regain my physical independence - travel internationally, drive, enjoy long walks... and most importantly, watch my grandchildren grow up. My disease is always there in the background and has aggressively flared-up from time-to-time. I have come to view Dr. Behl as my Guardian Angel - always watching over me. Dr. Behl has monitored my condition the past seven years. When in remission, I've gone 3 to 6 months between appointments. When my blood counts start to go "off the trolley," Dr. Behl decisively intervenes with effective treatments, and very closely follows my situation, until my blood metrics have stabilized. This past year during COVID, I experienced blood episodes that required frequent CCC lab appoints, treatments and office visits. The CCC has done an excellent job responding to the challenges presented by COVID, while continuing to provide high quality care. read more

I'm seeing Dr. Behl for almost 3 years now. He took care of my Lymphoma Non- Hodgkin's cancer. His team are very reliable. I rate their services 5 star. Thank you Dr. Behl for being so dedicated to your work. read more

September 1, 2021, was the unluckiest day of my life. I'd gone to the Emergency Department of Alta Bates Hospital with severe breathing difficulty that had progressed over a few months. The diagnosis was lymphoma. But the next day was the luckiest day of my life when Dr. Rajesh Behl became my oncologist. It's been a little over six weeks, and Dr. Behl has formulated a chemotherapy regimen that has already significantly reduced the size of the mass that was pressing against my lungs, and my breathing has been restored. While I've been receiving chemo at Summit Hospital, Dr. Behl or one of his colleagues from the Comprehensive Cancer Center in Berkeley, including Dr. Oleg Krijanovski, will check in on me each day. I have complete confidence in Dr. Behl's expertise, which he's acquired over 25 years of practicing oncology and hematology. He's been very patient in answering any questions I've had and he has a delightful sense of humor. I know I have a long road ahead of me, and I'm glad to have Dr. Behl as my guide. There are many options for patients in the Bay Area who are confronting a cancer diagnosis, but I'd recommend a consultation with Dr. Behl at the outset. read more

I was suffering from mysterious symptoms that centered on extreme anemia requiring repeated blood transfusions, severe leg edema, neurological symptoms of unknown origin and recurring night sweats. After seeking help from four other Hematologist-Oncologists, one after another, on both sides of the Bay, running into dead ends, I found Dr. Rajesh Behl at the Comprehensive Cancer Center: Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Berkeley. Dr. Behl was persistent in his approach to my nebulous and confounding symptoms, never wavering or giving up like the other doctors. His philosophy was to keep exploring until the symptoms made sense. The journey took over a year and a half but he solved the mystery. I was suffering from an extremely rare and difficult to detect cancer named Intravascular Lymphoma, also known as the Imposter Cancer due to its ability to hide and mimic other diseases. Unfortunately most often the diagnosis is made too late --during the autopsy. During the long treatment process, I was continually impressed with Dr. Behl's professional, caring manner. His scientific approach, his willingness to consult with other cancer professionals and his unwavering desire to find the correct diagnosis resulted in him saving my life. His staff consistently provided personal comprehensive care which helped me so much while going through repeated rounds of chemo. I am so grateful to Dr. Rajesh Behl and his colleagues and staff at the Comprehensive Cancer Center for saving my life. signed Miriam S. read more

Dr. Behl is a thorough and thoughtful physician, whose expertise and caring attention brought me and my family much needed reassurance after I had a scary blood clot. From the minute I met him, it was clear to me that Dr. Behl was a special physician. I later learned that he is highly regarded by many doctors who work with him. I highly recommend him. read more

Can not recommend. Terrible communicator 'gave' my elderly mother her prognosis by typing in calculations on phone and showing us the screen (six months expectancy BTW). He pushed for chemo but we did our own research and discovered that the chemo was not proven effective with her genetic composition. A second opinion received noted that, at best, the chemo would extend only months, not years. In the end, she decided for quality of life vs quantity. After communicating this decision with Dr. Behl he grossly mismanaged her care. The only thing keeping her alive were periodic transfusions. Instead of spacing them closer together, which is what is often needed as one's health declines, he scheduled them further apart. Previously completely independent, she became so weak that she could not even walk on her own to the car for an appointment. Instead of giving her a transfusion ASAP, her date was NOT moved up at all hand had to wait three more days until her scheduled appointment. This caused great havoc on her body and mind and was very alarming to witness. She became bedridden, incontinent and was unable to be alone. We pleaded to get the date moved up but were told it was not possible. Thankfully she held on for the transfusion but it took several days for her to recover when previously she felt much better the next day. She despised Dr Behl and wanted nothing more to do with him. I do consider the mismanagement of her care negligent. read more

First of all I want to thank you for taking very good care of my sister Doris Manning .She wanted me to yelp you and let you know how she appreciates you. She wanted me to mention that you saved her life!. Thank you once again it's people like you that go the extra mile .You were one of her angels sent from God to care for her she thanks you and so do we. read more

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 2nd 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 2nd 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 2nd 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 2nd 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. read more

Dr. Behl was my mom's physician for more than ten years. My mom was a retired physician so her trust in Dr. Behl expertise means a lot! He was taking a very good professional care of her through all those years: from the initial diagnosis till the very end, and I am very grateful for his care! Whatever treatment she needed: a transfusion or an infusion, or to schedule an appointment to see him, Dr. Behl and his team were always available. Dr. Behl always was very attentive to my mom's lab tests and lab results in order to make adjustments to medications, treatment or to contact another specialist who was also caring for my mom to alert them with a concern in her care. Thank you very much, Dr. Behl! read more

My health began to decline with kidney failure of unknown origin. In the process of testing, it was found that my spleen was slightly enlarged so I asked to see a Hematologist/Oncologist to rule out any other potential issues. Multiple tests were done which ruled out cancers typically responsible for kidney failure. Eventually, after hospitalization in Santa Rosa for the worsening kidney function, a bone marrow biopsy result showed that I had mantle cell lymphoma. Both my Nephrologist and Hematologist/Oncologist recommended further treatment in the Bay Area, as my symptoms didn't fit any available literature and they were concerned with chemo side effects on my already-compromised kidneys. Neither was clear on the best cancer center for me at that point, so I called a friend who has been treated for lymphoma by Dr. Rajesh Behl to see if he may be able to recommend the best place for me to go, considering my symptoms. Dr. Behl immediately looked at my chart, said he was able to treat me, and I had an appointment with him two days later. After further tests, Dr. Behl had me hospitalized at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland for my first round of chemo in order to keep a close watch on my kidney function. My later chemo was all able to be done as an outpatient, and I have found all the staff as both inpatient and as an outpatient at the Alta Bates Summit Comprehensive Cancer Center in Berkeley to be both wise and compassionate. Dr. Behl himself is highly intelligent, confident in his role, and shows his humility by asking for a second opinion from across the bay to be sure all bases are covered. I might add that he also has a marvelous sense of humor, which is always encouraging. Due to the prompt treatment Dr. Behl initiated, my kidneys were saved, and my bone marrow is in complete remission at present. I will gratefully continue my treatment with Dr. Behl and his wonderful team. read more

Dr. Behl is my guy. Even now, eight years after my diagnosis and treatment, he still makes me feel like his only patient when I'm with him. He comes off as a little brusk at first but he is serious about getting people better and I feel so safe with him as my doctor. His bedside manner is a nuanced humor that always makes me laugh. I know Dr. Behl will always fight for me and my health. read more