Hematology is the branch of medicine devoted to blood and blood disorders, a field that touches everything from anemia to leukemia. Whether you are a patient referred to a hematologist or considering the specialty, here is a clear explanation of what hematology is. This is general information, so consult your doctor about your specific situation.
What Hematology Is
Hematology is the medical specialty focused on blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood disorders. The blood-forming organs include the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. A doctor who specializes in this field is a hematologist, who diagnoses and treats conditions affecting the blood. Because blood is involved in so many bodily functions, hematology overlaps with many areas of medicine and is essential to diagnosing and managing a wide range of conditions.
Conditions Hematologists Treat
Hematologists treat a broad range of blood disorders. These include anemias, where the blood cannot carry enough oxygen, bleeding disorders like hemophilia, and clotting disorders such as deep vein thrombosis. They also treat sickle cell disease, low platelet counts, and blood cancers including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. In addition, hematologists are involved in transfusion medicine. This range spans both non-cancerous and cancerous conditions of the blood.
Hematology and Oncology
Hematology is frequently combined with oncology, the study of cancer, in a joint specialty called hematology-oncology. This is because many serious blood disorders, like leukemia and lymphoma, are cancers, so the two fields naturally overlap. A physician trained in both is a hematologist-oncologist, who can treat both blood disorders and cancers. Some physicians focus more on classical, non-cancerous hematology, while others emphasize blood cancers.
How Doctors Become Hematologists
Becoming a hematologist requires extensive training: medical school, an internal medicine residency of three years, and then a hematology or hematology-oncology fellowship of two to three years. After this, physicians are board-certified in hematology, medical oncology, or both. This long path reflects the complexity of blood disorders and the specialized knowledge needed to diagnose and treat them, from interpreting blood tests to managing chemotherapy.
When You Might See a Hematologist
You might be referred to a hematologist if blood tests show an abnormality, such as anemia, an abnormal blood count, or a clotting issue, or if you have a diagnosed blood disorder or blood cancer. Hematologists work in hospitals, cancer centers, and outpatient clinics. If you are referred to one, it usually means your doctor wants a specialist to investigate or manage a blood-related condition, which is a normal and important step in your care. See our guide to charities that help with medical bills if treatment costs are a concern.
Why Hematology Matters
Hematology is central to medicine because blood is involved in nearly every bodily function, so blood disorders can affect the whole body. Hematologists play a crucial role in diagnosing conditions that show up in blood tests, managing chronic disorders like sickle cell disease, and treating serious blood cancers. Advances in the field have transformed the outlook for many conditions that were once untreatable. For patients, seeing a hematologist means getting specialized expertise for a blood-related problem, which is an important part of comprehensive care.
Are all blood disorders cancerous?
No. Many, like anemia and clotting disorders, are not cancers. Hematologists treat both non-cancerous and cancerous blood conditions.
Can blood disorders be treated?
Many can be managed or cured, and treatments have advanced significantly. A hematologist can explain the options for a specific condition.
Hematology FAQs
What is a hematologist-oncologist?
A physician trained in both hematology and oncology, who can treat both blood disorders and cancers, a common combined specialty.
Is a hematologist the same as an oncologist?
Not exactly, though many train in both as hematologist-oncologists, since many blood disorders are cancers.
Do I need a referral to see a hematologist?
Usually your doctor refers you after an abnormal blood test or a diagnosed blood condition.
What tests do hematologists use?
Blood tests like the complete blood count, along with bone marrow biopsies and specialized clotting and genetic tests.
Where do hematologists work?
In hospitals, cancer centers, and outpatient clinics.
What is hematology?
The medical specialty focused on blood, blood-forming organs, and blood disorders.
What conditions do hematologists treat?
Anemias, bleeding and clotting disorders, sickle cell disease, low platelets, and blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
Is hematology the same as oncology?
Not exactly, but they are often combined, since many blood disorders are cancers. A hematologist-oncologist treats both.
Why would I see a hematologist?
Usually for an abnormal blood test, a diagnosed blood disorder, or a blood cancer.
How do doctors become hematologists?
Through medical school, an internal medicine residency, and a hematology or hematology-oncology fellowship.
Where do hematologists work?
In hospitals, cancer centers, and outpatient clinics.
