Hematology is the study of blood and blood related diseases. Problems caused with the blood can affect many functions of the body and cause a wide range of complications. Hematologists are the doctors who study the blood-related conditions, including several types of cancer. They use a variety of tests and treatments to cure these issues. Many hematologists are also interested in getting training in oncology, which is the branch of medicine dedicated to diagnosing and treating cancer. As you know that Blood plays important roles in human health such as:
Problems caused with the blood can affect many parts of the body systems, such as a network of tissues, lymphatic system and organs that clear waste.
Sometimes blood disorders stem from problems with the bone marrow, the place where the body makes most of its blood cells.
Basically, Hematology aims to understand how these problems occur, how they can affect a person’s health and various ways to treat them.
Hematologists are the medical doctors who are specialized in treating and diagnosing the blood related problems such as the bone marrow.
There are several test and procedures performed by doctors such as:
A hematologist can have specialization in following fields:
Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells(RBC) that carries oxygen around the body. Hemoglobinopathy is called abnormal hemoglobin. And these abnormalities can cause sickle cell disease like thalassemia or any other disorders. These can lead to severe pain.
This field of hematology focuses on treating and diagnosing blood cancers, such as myeloma.
Blood cancers start from the cell of the immune system or tissues that make blood cells, such as bone marrow.
Anemia is the condition that is caused due to the low level of hemoglobin or red blood cells in the body.
Anemia prevents enough oxygen-rich blood from circulation. It can cause a person to feel unusually tired and experience muscle weakness.
Coagulopathy is a bleeding disorder and it affects the body’s ability to form blood clots.
Blood disorders like hemophilia is the form of coagulopathy. In this disorder the body is not able to control bleeding.
It is common for a hematologist to train in the field of oncology, which is related to diagnosing and treating cancer. The combined training allows doctors to treat a wide range of blood-related illnesses, along with cancers.
A person suffering from blood cancer like leukemia or myeloma can consult an oncologist and hematologist separately, or they can see a doctor with training in both fields.
Not everyone who is referred to an oncologist has cancer. Many oncologists are trained in hematology and are able to see people with blood conditions that are not cancerous.
Several disorders and diseases primarily affect the blood and can be treated by a hematologist: