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.

Leukemias Archives - Ask Hematologist

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

Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia

July 28, 2016 Leave a comment

Large granular lymphocytic (LGL) leukemia is a chronic lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by a persistent (>6 months) increase in circulating large granular lymphocytes, typically associated with cytopenias, autoimmune features, and clonal T-cell or NK-cell proliferation. Large granular lymphocytic leukemia is an uncommon condition also described as CD8 lymphocytosis with neutropenia or T-lymphoproliferative disease. Peripheral blood lymphocytosis comprises cells with round or […]

Category: Leukemias

Hairy Cell Leukemia

June 10, 2016 2 comments

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is an uncommon, indolent B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by circulating lymphocytes with fine cytoplasmic projections (“hairy” appearance), splenomegaly, pancytopenia—particularly monocytopenia—and typically absent lymphadenopathy. HCL represents approximately 2% of all leukemias, with an estimated 600–800 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States and a notably low incidence in Japan. The disease occurs predominantly in white, middle-aged […]

Category: Leukemias

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

May 2, 2016 Leave a comment

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) is a low-grade B-cell lymphoproliferative malignancy characterized by the accumulation of small, mature lymphocytes in the blood, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen. It represents the most common form of leukemia in adults across the Western world and often presents with lymphocytosis, lymphadenopathy, or incidental findings on routine blood tests. CLL is classified under ICD-10 code […]

Category: Leukemias

Acute Myeloid Leukemia

April 13, 2016 3 comments

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), also known as acute myelogenous leukemia, is an aggressive hematologic malignancy characterized by clonal proliferation of immature myeloid precursor cells in the bone marrow, peripheral blood, and occasionally extramedullary tissues. This uncontrolled expansion results in suppression of normal hematopoiesis due to maturation arrest at an early stage of myeloid differentiation. AML is typically diagnosed when myeloblasts […]

Category: Leukemias

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

April 3, 2016 Leave a comment

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of immature lymphoblasts within the bone marrow and peripheral blood. Without prompt diagnosis and treatment, ALL progresses rapidly, leading to bone marrow failure and life-threatening complications. The incidence of ALL peaks in early childhood, particularly between ages 2 and 5, accounting for nearly two-thirds of all […]

Category: Leukemias

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

March 17, 2016 4 comments

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML), also known as chronic myelogenous leukaemia, is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm driven by the BCR-ABL1 fusion (Philadelphia chromosome), resulting in uncontrolled proliferation of the granulocytic lineage while preserving normal maturation. It typically presents in the chronic phase but may progress to accelerated or blast phase if untreated. CML is classified under ICD-10 code C91.10. Aetiology: In […]

Category: Leukemias, Myeloproliferative Disorders