Hematology is the medical specialty that focuses on the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases affecting the blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system, including disorders of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, and coagulation.

What conditions are treated by a hematologist?

A hematologist manages conditions such as anemia, iron deficiency, leukemias, lymphomas, myeloma, bleeding and clotting disorders, inherited blood diseases, and persistent abnormalities detected on blood tests or blood smears.

What is the difference between hematology and oncology?

Hematology covers benign and malignant blood disorders, while oncology primarily focuses on solid tumors; the two overlap in the management of blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma.

What is a peripheral blood smear and why is it important?

A peripheral blood smear is a microscopic examination of blood cells that helps assess red cell morphology, white cell differentials, and platelet numbers, and it supports diagnosis in many hematological disorders.

What blood tests are commonly used in hematology?

Common tests include the complete blood count (CBC), blood film examination, coagulation studies, iron studies, vitamin B12 and folate levels, and specialist investigations such as bone marrow examination when indicated.

What is the role of the bone marrow in hematology?

Bone marrow is the primary site of blood cell production, where hematopoietic stem cells mature into red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, making it central to normal hematopoiesis and many blood disorders.

When should a patient be referred to a hematologist?

Referral is appropriate for unexplained anemia, persistent abnormal blood counts, recurrent bleeding or thrombosis, suspected blood cancers, or ongoing abnormalities on blood tests or peripheral blood smears.

What is the difference between hematology and hematopathology?

Hematology is the clinical specialty providing patient care for blood disorders, while hematopathology focuses on laboratory diagnosis using blood films, bone marrow biopsies, and specialized testing.

Why is hematology important in general medicine?

Hematology is important because blood abnormalities may reflect systemic disease, infection, inflammation, malignancy, nutritional deficiency, or organ dysfunction, and blood tests are fundamental to medical diagnosis.

Is hematology a medical or laboratory specialty?

Hematology is both clinical and laboratory-based, combining patient management with interpretation of blood tests, blood smears, and bone marrow findings.

What does the term haematology mean?

Haematology is the British spelling of hematology and refers to the same specialty concerned with blood, blood-forming organs, and blood disorders.

How does hematology help in diagnosing disease early?

Hematology supports early diagnosis through routine blood tests and microscopic examination, which can identify conditions such as anemia, infection, leukemia, and coagulation abnormalities before symptoms become advanced.

Ask Hematologist | Understand Hematology

Molecular and Cytogenetic Studies in Hematology

November 19, 2025 Leave a comment

Molecular and cytogenetic studies play a central role in modern hematology, providing precise diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic insights across a wide spectrum of blood disorders. Advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS), PCR-based assays, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and karyotyping have transformed the evaluation of leukemias, lymphomas, myeloproliferative neoplasms, and inherited hematologic conditions. These techniques allow clinicians to detect actionable mutations, […]

Category: Uncategorized

Artificial Intelligence in Hematology

July 8, 2024 2 comments

Artificial Intelligence in Hematology: Transforming Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in medicine, and hematology is no exception. By leveraging AI, clinicians and researchers can enhance diagnostic accuracy, personalize treatment plans, and streamline workflows. This article explores the current applications, benefits, and future potential of AI in hematology. Hematology, the branch of medicine […]

Category: Artificial Intelligence

Prepare for MRCP Examination

December 10, 2023 4 comments

MRCP examination hall prepared for written assessment with exam desks arranged in rows

How to prepare for the MRCP Examination? Preparing for MRCP Part 1 requires a strong and systematic understanding of core internal medicine, with particular emphasis on high-yield specialties such as hematology, hemato-oncology, and medical genetics, which are frequently tested in the exam. Success depends not only on factual knowledge but also on applying clinical reasoning to examination-style questions. This article […]

Category: Medical Examinations

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome

October 10, 2021 4 comments

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a rare hematologic disorder characterised by persistent eosinophilia in the peripheral blood, typically with an absolute eosinophil count greater than 1.5 × 10⁹/L, leading to organ damage or dysfunction caused by eosinophil-mediated inflammation and tissue infiltration. Unlike secondary eosinophilia due to parasitic infection, allergy, drug reaction, or autoimmune disease, HES is idiopathic or clonal in nature […]

Category: Leukemias

Vascular Bleeding Disorders

August 6, 2021 Leave a comment

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia HHT with mucocutaneous telangiectasia causing recurrent epistaxis and skin bleeding

Vascular bleeding disorders are a group of conditions in which structural abnormalities of the blood vessel wall result in bleeding manifestations such as easy bruising, petechiae, purpura, and mucocutaneous bleeding. In contrast to platelet or coagulation factor disorders, major or life-threatening hemorrhage is uncommon, with the notable exception of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). These disorders arise from inherited or acquired […]

Category: Bleeding Disorders

CAR T-Cell Therapy

December 1, 2020 2 comments

The mechanism of action of CAR T-cell therapy: T cells: To understand CAR T-cell therapy, it helps to understand what T cells do. White blood cells called lymphocytes play an important part in fighting infection and diseases, including cancer. There are different types of lymphocytes. T cells are one type. T cells move around the body to find and destroy defective […]

Category: Cancer Therapy

Coronavirus and Blood

August 11, 2020 Leave a comment

Coronavirus COVID-19 virus structure illustrating spike proteins and its effects on blood and coagulation system

Coronavirus and Blood: Does coronavirus have direct effects on Blood? The COVID-19 pandemic has become one of the most significant global public health crises in a century. Since its emergence in December 2019, the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions worldwide and caused widespread morbidity and mortality. Beyond its respiratory manifestations, COVID-19 also affects the hematologic system, leading to various […]

Category: Infections

Abnormal Hemoglobins

November 27, 2019 12 comments

Three dimensional structure of hemoglobin showing alpha and beta globin chains with heme iron groups

Hemoglobin is the essential iron-containing protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen from the lungs to body tissues and returning carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation. Nearly 70% of the body’s total iron is found in hemoglobin within circulating red cells. This iron-protein complex gives blood its red color and consists of a heme group (the iron-bearing […]

Category: Hemoglobinopathies

Approach to Lymphocytosis

October 31, 2019 17 comments

Peripheral blood film showing Burkitt lymphoma with vacuolated basophilic lymphoid cells

An effective approach to lymphocytosis is essential for accurate diagnosis and timely management in hematology. Lymphocytosis, defined as an increased lymphocyte count in the peripheral blood, can be reactive to infection, inflammatory states, or stress, but it may also signal underlying hematologic malignancies such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or other lymphoproliferative disorders. A structured evaluation helps clinicians differentiate between […]

Category: Lymphomas

Nutrition and Blood

September 29, 2019 38 comments

Nutrition and Blood: Nutrition and blood health are closely linked, influencing red blood cell production, immune function, and bleeding risk. Proper nutrition provides essential vitamins and minerals required for hematopoiesis, blood clotting, and overall circulatory health. This article provides a comprehensive review of how nutrition affects blood health, highlighting key nutrients such as iron, vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin K, […]

Category: Nutrition

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