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.

Anemias Archives - Ask Hematologist | Understand Hematology

Malignant Infiltration of Bone Marrow

October 27, 2016 4 comments

Malignant infiltration of the bone marrow is a significant clinical finding that occurs when solid tumors or hematologic malignancies spread to the marrow space, disrupting normal hematopoiesis. In adults, this process most frequently results from metastatic carcinomas—particularly those originating in the prostate, breast, and lung—although any cancer capable of hematogenous dissemination, including tumors of the colon and thyroid, may […]

Category: Anemias

Hemolytic Anemias

February 22, 2016 One comment

Close-up of eyes showing pronounced scleral icterus due to hyperbilirubinemia in hemolytic anemia

Introduction: Red blood cells (RBCs) are produced in the bone marrow and normally survive in the circulation for approximately 120 days before being removed by the reticuloendothelial system. Hemolysis refers to the premature destruction of red blood cells, resulting in a shortened RBC lifespan of less than 120 days. In response, the bone marrow increases erythropoiesis to compensate for the […]

Category: Anemias

Pure Red Cell Aplasia

February 22, 2016 2 comments

Introduction: Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA) is a rare hematologic disorder characterized by a selective failure of erythropoiesis, resulting in profound anemia with markedly reduced or absent reticulocytes. Although erythroblasts are virtually absent in the bone marrow, granulopoiesis and thrombopoiesis remain intact, allowing white blood cell and platelet counts to stay within normal limits. The anemia is typically normocytic but […]

Category: Anemias

Aplastic Anemia

February 21, 2016 Leave a comment

Aplastic anemia is a rare and serious bone marrow failure disorder in which hematopoietic stem cells become damaged, leading to markedly reduced blood cell production. As a result, patients develop pancytopenia, characterized by anemia (low red blood cells), leukopenia (low white blood cells), and thrombocytopenia (low platelets). The term aplastic refers to the marrow’s inability to generate mature, functional blood […]

Category: Anemias

Megaloblastic Anemias

February 20, 2016 3 comments

Atrophic glossitis showing a smooth erythematous tongue with loss of papillae in vitamin B12 or folate deficiency

Introduction: Megaloblastic anemias represent a spectrum of disorders caused by impaired DNA synthesis affecting all rapidly dividing hematopoietic cells, not only the erythroid lineage. When DNA replication is disrupted, the cell cycle cannot progress normally from the G2 phase to mitosis, resulting in continued cytoplasmic growth without division. This nuclear–cytoplasmic asynchrony produces the hallmark morphological features of macrocytosis and megaloblastosis. […]

Category: Anemias

Iron Deficiency Anemia

February 20, 2016 3 comments

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common type of anemia, and it occurs when your body doesn’t have enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. When there isn’t enough iron in your bloodstream, the rest of your body can’t get the amount of oxygen it needs. Iron is a mineral. Most of the iron in the […]

Category: Anemias

Anemias-General Approach

February 19, 2016 Leave a comment

Anemia symptoms showing fatigue weakness and difficulty concentrating

Anemia is a common hematological condition characterized by a reduction in circulating red blood cells or hemoglobin (Hb), resulting in impaired oxygen delivery to body tissues. It is not a diagnosis in itself but rather a clinical manifestation of an underlying disorder; therefore, even mild or asymptomatic anemia warrants proper evaluation to identify and treat the primary cause. When anemia […]

Category: Anemias