Hematologic disorder

Hematologic diseases are disorders which primarily affect the blood & blood-forming organs. Hematologic diseases include rare genetic disorders, anemia, HIV, sickle cell disease, and complications from chemotherapy or transfusions.

Overview

Hematologic diseases are disorders of the blood and blood-forming organs, which include conditions such as anemia, leukemia, myelofibrosis, coagulation disorders, and platelet disorders. These diseases can affect the red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, blood vessels, bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and the proteins involved in bleeding and clotting.

Types of Hematologic Diseases

There are many types of hematologic diseases, including:

• Anemia: A condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells to provide adequate oxygen to the body's tissues.
• Leukemia: A type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow and leads to high numbers of abnormal white blood cells.
• Myelofibrosis: A serious bone marrow disorder that disrupts the body's normal production of blood cells.
• Blood clotting disorders: Conditions that affect the body's ability to clot and stop bleeding.
• Platelet disorders: Conditions that affect the body's ability to form blood clots.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of hematologic diseases often involves laboratory testing of blood. These tests may include complete blood count (CBC), blood protein testing, clotting factor levels, and bone marrow examination.

Treatment

Treatment of hematologic diseases depends on the type and severity of the disease, the patient's age and overall health. Treatments may include dietary changes, medicines, and in some severe cases, bone marrow transplantation.

See Also

• Hematology
• Blood diseases
• Blood tests
• Bone marrow examination