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.

Disorders of the red cell membrane Archives - Ask Hematologist

Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria

February 25, 2016 2 comments

Introduction: Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is a rare, acquired, life-threatening hematologic disorder characterized by complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis, a marked tendency for thrombosis, and varying degrees of bone marrow failure. It is the only form of hemolytic anemia caused by an acquired intrinsic defect of the red blood cell membrane rather than an inherited abnormality. This defect results from a mutation […]

Category: Disorders of the red cell membrane

Acanthocytosis

February 24, 2016 Leave a comment

Acanthocytes, also known as spur cells, are abnormal red blood cells characterized by irregularly spaced, variably sized membrane projections, reflecting a true structural alteration of the erythrocyte membrane rather than a reversible shape change. The development of acanthocytosis results from disruption of the lipid composition and reduced fluidity of the red cell membrane, most commonly due to an increased cholesterol-to-phospholipid […]

Category: Disorders of the red cell membrane

Stomatocytosis

February 24, 2016 20 comments

Stomatocytosis is a rare red blood cell (RBC) membrane disorder characterised by the presence of stomatocytes—red cells with a slit-like or mouth-shaped central pallor—on the peripheral blood smear. Hereditary stomatocytosis and acquired forms are associated with altered membrane permeability, hemolysis, and variable degrees of anemia. Recognition of stomatocytosis is important in hematology because it may indicate an underlying red cell […]

Category: Disorders of the red cell membrane

Elliptocytosis

February 24, 2016 5 comments

Understanding Hereditary Elliptocytosis (HE): A Defect of the Red Cell Membrane Hereditary Elliptocytosis (HE), or ovalocytosis, is defined as a genetic disorder of the red cell membrane that affects the shape of red blood cells. Characterized by the presence of a majority of elliptical-shaped cells on the peripheral smear, HE results from specific mutations in cytoskeletal genes, notably spectrin (SPTA1, […]

Category: Disorders of the red cell membrane

Spherocytosis

February 24, 2016 4 comments

Spherocytes in warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia showing small dense red blood cells with loss of central pallor

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is the most common inherited red blood cell membrane disorder, typically transmitted in an autosomal dominant pattern. It is characterized by structurally abnormal red blood cells that become spherical (spherocytes), rigid, and osmotically fragile. On peripheral blood smear, these cells appear smaller, dense, and deeply stained with loss of central pallor. While spherocytes may be seen to […]

Category: Disorders of the red cell membrane