Haematology - Definition and Overview

Hematology is the branch of medicine that is concerned with blood and its disorders.

It is commonly divided into three sub-areas, according to the type and group of cells it refers to. This subdivision is incomplete, as many diseases affect most or all of the components of blood and bone marrow.

• Red blood cells
  • anemias
  • hemoglobinopathies
  • blood banking (red cells and platelets)
• White blood cells
  • leukemias
  • neutropenias
  • myeloproliferative disorders
  • myelodysplastic syndrome
  • lymphomas
• Platelets and coagulation
  • bleeding and coagulation disorders
  • recurrent thrombosis

Common tests used in the investigation of haematological problems include:

• full blood counts
• blood films
• bone marrow biopsies

Treatments include:

• Medication
• Blood transfusion (for anemia)
• Venesection (for iron overload or polycythemia)
• Bone marrow transplant (e.g. for leukemia)
• Chemotherapy (e.g. for leukemia)
• Radiotherapy (in decline, e.g. for leukemia)