Haematology

Haematology is the study of the blood and its disorders. The word comes from the Greek word haîma, meaning blood.

Haematologists are the specialists who are experts in blood and bone marrow. Their work involves providing clinical care in hospital, along with running tests and analysing samples in the haematology lab.

Blood tests help diagnose and assess various blood disorders. The tests may be carried out to find the reason for a low or high number of red blood cells – this is known as anaemia, which is a very common condition. They can also find the reason for a low or high number of white blood cells, known as leukopenia.

Testing can also discover the reason for a low or high number of platelets in your blood. Platelets are the cell fragments that form clots and stop bleeding. This condition is called thrombocytopenia.

Conditions such as leukaemia and various other blood disorders can cause these blood abnormalities. Tests may also be done to monitor your response to treatment for leukaemia, or determine how far certain lymphomas or cancers have progressed.

According to the charity Blood Cancer UK, blood cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the UK, with over 40,000 people being diagnosed with it every year. There are over 100 different types of blood cancer known at present.

The haematology department also studies and prescribes treatment for sickle cell disease, haemophilia, the complications of blood transfusion, and malignant diseases of the blood cells.

Some of the disorders treated by haematologists are:

• Anaemias (iron deficiency, sickle cell anaemia and trauma-related anaemia);
• Myelofibrosis;
• Leukaemia;
• Platelet and bleeding disorders (such as haemophilia and Von Willebrand disease);
• Thalassemia and
• Multiple myeloma.

Our team will strive to reduce your symptoms through effective treatment and management of your condition.

Blood transfusion services

A blood transfusion is when blood from someone else is put into your body. The donor will have given their blood to be used for medical purposes.

If you have a low red blood cell count, you might need a blood transfusion. Your red blood cell count can drop for several reasons. You could have a condition such as sickle-cell anaemia, or a type of cancer that affects the red blood cells. Blood transfusions are also used when trauma causes severe bleeding – these cases might include childbirth, an accident, or surgery.

Your haematologist will ensure that the blood they transfuse is the perfect match for you. They will do this through checking it is the right blood group and analysing other factors.

Haemato-oncology treatment

Haemato-oncology is the diagnosis and treatment of blood cancers. Treatment for lymphoma, myeloma and leukaemia in many instances is chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a drug treatment that aims to stop cancer cells rapidly growing and dividing.

In addition, some patients may also be treated with radiotherapy. Radiotherapy is a cancer treatment that uses radiation to kill cancer cells.

Blood cancer is the most common kind of childhood cancer, but the risk increases with age – just under 40 per cent of people diagnosed with it are aged 75 or over. For the vast majority of patients, haemato-oncology treatment alleviates symptoms, improves survival and, in some patients, may cure the illness.

To get started, you can book a consultation online with one of our many experienced haematology Consultants. This is a simple and fast process. You can also book your consultation by calling 441413005009.

To familiarise yourself with the many treatment options for blood issues that we offer, you can read our informative, in-depth treatment pages. This could help you to decide which treatment option might suit you best.

At your consultation, you will likely receive important diagnostic testing and discuss the right treatment option for you with your Consultant.