Hematology
Written By: Isha Dave
Hematology is a branch of pathology that specializes in blood disorders, bone marrow, and the lymphatic system. Blood-related diseases include types of hemophilia, leukemia, lymphoma, and sickle-cell anemia. Hematology also includes organs like lymph nodes, the spleen, the thymus, and lymphoid tissue.
Blood is constantly helping our bodies with nutrients, providing oxygen, and waste removal. It’s made up of several parts including plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Plasma makes up about half of our blood and it contains water, proteins, mineral salts, sugars, fats, hormones and vitamins. Red blood cells make up a large portion of our blood as well. Red blood cells carry oxygen to our tissues via hemoglobin. White blood cells help our blood fight infections and platelets will produce clots. White blood cells and platelets make up less than 1% of our blood (“What is hematology?”, 2017). Red blood cells, white blood, and platelets are produced in the bone marrow.
The four major areas of study in hematology are hemoglobinopathy, hematological malignancies, anemia, and coagulopathy. Hemoglobinopathy involves genetic disorders of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Any cancers that affect the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and blood are hematological malignancies. Malignancies fall into 3 categories: leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Anemia results from a lack of red blood cells or unhealthy red blood cells. Coagulopathy is when your blood is unable to form clots that cause excessive bleeding. Hematologists mostly work with oncologists to help children and adults fight cancers of blood and bone marrow.
Hematological tests help diagnose blood diseases. Some examples are:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): this test will count the number of red and white blood cells as well as platelets
- Prothrombin time (PT): this is a test that determines how long it takes blood to clot
- Internalized normalized ratio: this test is calculated by the PT and monitors how well an anticoagulant works
- Blood chemistry test: this test measures the level of certain substances like electrolytes, fats, proteins, glucose, and enzymes
Sources
What is hematology? (2017, April 03). Retrieved July 16, 2020, from https://www.healio.com/news/hematology-oncology/20120331/what-is-hematology
