What is Hematology ?
The medical specialty of hematology is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the blood and bone marrow. Clinical care is overseen by hematopathologists, who decipher test data related to blood disorders. The study of blood and blood-related disorders, such as hemophilia, leukemia, anemia, and lymphoma, falls under this discipline. Hematology includes both standard tests such as the complete blood count (CBC) and specialized procedures such as hemoglobin variant analysis and G6PD testing. To aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, cytochemical and immunohistochemical stains are also used to better identify different blood diseases.
Blood Components
The essential elements of blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma.
Red Blood Cells (RBC’s)
(Red Blood Cell) A type of blood cell that is made in the bone marrow and found in the blood. Red blood cells contain a protein called hemoglobin, which carries oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body. Checking the number of red blood cells in the blood is usually part of a complete blood cell count (CBC).
White Blood cells (WBC’s)
White blood cells are part of the body’s immune system. They help the body fight infections and other diseases. Types of white blood cells include granulocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils), monocytes, and lymphocytes (T cells and B cells).
Platalets
Platelets are very large cell fragments in the bone marrow called megakaryocytes. They help form blood clots to slow or stop bleeding and help wounds heal. Having too many or too few platelets, or platelets that don’t work the way they should, can cause problems.
Plasma
Plasma is the liquid part of blood. About 55% of our blood is plasma, and the remaining 45% is red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets suspended in plasma. Plasma is made up of about 92% water.
Blood Disorders and Conditions
Conditions affecting the blood’s ability to function properly, such as anemia, leukemia, and hemophilia.
Anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to the body’s tissues. Different types of anemia include: vitamin B12 deficiency anemia; folate (folic acid) deficiency anemia.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of blood and bone marrow cancer caused by the rapid production of abnormal white blood cells. These abnormal white blood cells cannot fight infections and affect the bone marrow’s ability to produce red blood cells and platelets.
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that affects the immune system. It specifically affects white blood cells called lymphocytes, which play an important role in the immune system. Lymphoma is also called cancer of the lymphatic system or lymphatic cancer.
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease, also called sickle cell anemia, is a group of inherited disorders that affect hemoglobin, the main oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells.
Polycythemia Vera
Polycythemia, also called erythrocytosis, refers to increased red blood cell mass, noted on laboratory evaluation as increased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a rare disorder in which the blood doesn’t clot in the typical way because it doesn’t have enough blood-clotting proteins (clotting factors).
