Hematology

What Does Hematology Mean?

Hematology is a specialty of internal medicine and derives from the Greek language haima-blood and logos-teaching. Hematology deals with diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and, partially, the immune system (since the immune system cells are part of the blood).

Blood-forming organs are primarily the bone marrow since blood cell production also occurs in the spleen and liver but only during the fetal period or when the bone marrow fails to function.

Important Hematological Diseases

Hematology deals with a wide variety of clinical pictures. On the one hand, there is a large group of cancer diseases, where a rough distinction can be made between two groups; the leukemias or colloquially "blood cancer" and the lymphomas (colloquially "lymph node cancer").

Another spectrum of diseases is blood coagulation disorders. A distinction can be made between hemophilia, which is associated with an increased tendency to bleed, and thrombophilia, which involves an increased risk of thrombosis.

There are also anemias. This condition can have quite different causes and can also be a symptom of another underlying disease.

Hematological Examinations

Diagnostics in hematology is, as the name suggests, mainly performed on the blood. For the physician, the cell count, shape and size, and genetics and surface proteins of the blood cells are of interest. This means various diagnostic steps are carried out with the patient's blood. For the patient, this simply means blood samples are taken.

Furthermore, a bone marrow puncture may also be necessary to establish or confirm a diagnosis. The bone marrow puncture can be performed with a needle at the pelvis (iliac crest).

Especially in lymph node cancer, removing a lymph node or a sample of a lymph node may also become necessary.

Treatment Methods in Hematology

Depending on the disease, quite different treatment methods may be necessary. For example, in anemia, a blood transfusion or iron administration may be required; for coagulation disorders, a blood clotting factor may be administrated (substitution for hemophilia), or an anticoagulant may be prescribed (for thrombophilia).

Chemotherapy is a standard therapy for cancers. In addition, stem cell transplantation may become necessary in some cases.

Which Doctors and Clinics Are Specialized in Hematology?

Hematology specialists are physicians with advanced training in internal medicine with a focus on hemato-oncology. Many hospitals also have specific departments for hematologic diseases.

We will help you find an expert for your disease. All listed physicians and clinics have been reviewed by us for their outstanding specialization in hematology and are awaiting your inquiry or request for treatment.

Sources:

• http://www.medizinfo.de/haematologie/start.shtml
• https://www.internisten-im-netz.de/fachgebiete/innere-medizinder-internist/haematologieonkologie/