The good:
Data is available from real people who have undergone this procedure and have willingly shared their experience.
The bad:
It's a limited sample set with a lot of variability. Realistically, most people that go through this procedure don't post or keep a diary. I met several folks going through CLL who have zero intention of sharing their experience. Add to that the hundreds, perhaps thousands that churn through the hospitals in China and India who undergo CLL for social reasons particular to their society. They would never dare reveal that they've had CLL, much less the outcomes, and that's a big number of patients.
How the good can help:
Correlate the data that's available with
- surgeons
- type of procedure
- segments operated on
- amount lengthened
to see if trends can be identified, even with a limited sample set (others have asked for this as well)
Caveat Emptor:
This is not a scientific study, and while good intentions are assumed on the part of the folks who share, the data can (again, read best intent first, but realize it's possible) be misleading, false, inaccurate for whatever reason, etc. Take into consideration different time frames for the procedure, various ages and states of health/physical fitness, etc.
IMHO and my .02.
Best,
--jbc