Comprehensive Cancer has extensive expertise treating disorders relating to blood and blood-forming organs and tissues with hematology.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers offers a variety of cancer treatment options including the treatment for serious blood disorders, also known as hematology. This distinct sub-specialty of internal medicine is separate from but overlaps with the sub0specialty of medical oncology.
Physicians who specialize in hematology are known as hematologists. The hematologists at Comprehensive Cancer Centers have extensive expertise in treating disorders relating to blood and blood-forming organs and tissues, both for cancer and non-cancer patients.
Hematology is a branch of medicine focused on the study, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood. This encompasses blood components like red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hemoglobin, bone marrow, and the vascular system. Hematologists play a crucial role in diagnosing and managing conditions such as anemia, clotting disorders, leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood-related diseases.
Getting to Better Know Your Blood
Blood is a vital fluid that performs numerous essential functions, including oxygen transport, nutrient delivery, waste removal, and immune defense. The primary function of blood is found in red blood cells, which transport oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues. They also return carbon dioxide from tissues and deliver it to the lungs for exhalation.
White blood cells, or leukocytes, are crucial for the immune system. They help the body fight infections and other diseases. There are several types of these white blood cells including neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
Each cell has specific roles in the body’s immune defense. Platelets are small cell fragments that help with blood clotting and the healing of wounds. When a blood vessel gets injured, platelets stick to the site, aggregate, and release chemicals that help form a blood clot. This is critical in helping to prevent excessive bleeding, and platelets are something we’ve actually seen during our lives when they take shape in form of a scab.
The liquid component of blood is plasma, and may be family as something that can be donated to help save lives. There are many options for donating plasma here in Las Vegas, and if it’s something you can do, plasma is something that’s not only key to helping in events like injuries, but also in cancer treatment. You can get started here, or with many other companies in Southern Nevada who gather plasma.
Plasma comprises about 55 percent of blood’s volume. It’s made up of water, electrolytes, proteins, hormones, and waste products. Important proteins in plasma include albumin, globulins, and fibrinogen, which are essential for maintaining blood pressure, immune responses, and clotting.
Hematological Disorders that Require Hematology for Treatment
Hematological disorders can affect any component of the blood and are classified into several categories including anemia, clotting disorders, Leukemia and Lymphoma, which are diseases treated by the team at Comprehensive Cancer Centers. You can learn more about each of them with information included here:
Anemia is a condition characterized by a deficiency in the number or quality of red blood cells, resulting in insufficient oxygen delivery to tissues. Iron-Deficiency Anemia is caused by a lack of iron, necessary for hemoglobin production. Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency Anemia result from inadequate levels of these vitamins, which are crucial for red blood cell production. Hemolytic Anemia is caused by the premature destruction of red blood cells. Aplastic Anemia is a rare condition where the bone marrow fails to produce enough blood cells. Symptoms of Anemia mostly include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and dizziness.
Clotting Disorders affect the blood’s ability to clot properly, leading to excessive bleeding or clot formation. Hemophilia is a genetic disorder where blood lacks sufficient clotting factors, leading to prolonged bleeding. Von Willebrand Disease is a hereditary disorder caused by a deficiency or dysfunction of von Willebrand factor, a protein critical for clot formation. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) involves the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs, which can lead to serious complications if the clot travels to the lungs.
Leukemia is a type of cancer affecting the white blood cells, characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal leukocytes in the bone marrow. Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) is a fast-progressing leukemia that affects lymphocytes. Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) affects myeloid cells. Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) affects lymphocytes. Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) affects myeloid cells. Symptoms of leukemia include fatigue, frequent infections, fever, easy bruising, and bleeding, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system, affecting lymphocytes and includes Hodgkin Lymphoma, which is characterized by the presence of Reed-Sternberg cells and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, a diverse group of lymphomas not involving Reed-Sternberg cells. Symptoms for both include enlarged lymph nodes, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue.
How Hematological Issues Are Diagnosed
Diagnosing hematological disorders involves a variety of tests and procedures to examine blood and bone marrow. Common diagnostic techniques include a comprehensive test, called a CBC that measures the levels of different blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In a blood smear, a drop of blood is spread on a glass slide, stained, and examined under a microscope to evaluate the shape, size, and appearance of blood cells. This test helps diagnose conditions such as anemia, leukemia, and infections.
A bone marrow biopsy involves extracting a small sample of bone marrow tissue, usually from the hip bone, to examine under a microscope. This test is crucial for diagnosing blood cancers, anemia, and other bone marrow disorders. Coagulation tests, such as Prothrombin Time (PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT), measure how long it takes for blood to clot. Flow cytometry is a technique used to analyze the physical and chemical characteristics of cells in a fluid as they pass through a laser. Molecular and genetic tests detect specific genetic mutations or abnormalities associated with certain blood disorders.
Hematology Treatments Offered by Comprehensive Cancer Centers
Treatment of hematological disorders varies depending on the specific condition, its severity, and the patient’s overall health. Common treatment approaches offered by Comprehensive include iron supplements or injections, as well as Anticoagulants, Chemotherapy and Immunosuppressants.
Blood transfusions are also used to treat severe anemia, blood loss, and certain blood disorders. Patients receive donor blood or specific components, such as red blood cells or platelets, to restore normal levels. A bone marrow transplant involves replacing damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells. Targeted therapy uses drugs or other substances to specifically target and attack cancer cells without harming normal cells. This approach is often used in treating certain types of leukemia and lymphoma. Should you be diagnosed with cancer, and referred to Comprehensive, your care team will discuss options and present a treatment plan custom to your needs.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for patients with blood disorders, blood cancers and other cancer types. To schedule an appointment with the team at Comprehensive, please call 702-952-3350.
The content is this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
