Hematology Oncology

What Conditions do Hematology Oncologists Treat?

Hematology oncologists treat a wide range of conditions related to both cancer and blood disorders. Here are some of the critical conditions they commonly address:

Blood cancers:

• Leukemia: Leukemia is a cancer that springs in the bone marrow. It happens due to the uncontrolled growth of white blood cells.
• Lymphoma: Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is the part of the immune system of the body, which includes the spleen, lymphatic vessels, and bone marrow. Lymphoma arises when a certain type of white blood cell ( lymphocytes) grows uncontrollably.
• Multiple myeloma: This cancer affects the plasma cells of the body. Plasma is a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection. In this condition, myeloma cells grow uncontrollably in the bone marrow, causing restriction for the healthy blood cells.
• Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS): MDA is a group of disorders characterized by abnormal blood cell production in the bone marrow.
• Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs): Myeloproliferative disorders happen when there is an excess production of blood cells ( red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets) in the body. This cancer develops very slowly, therefore people with this condition might suffer for years before actually experiencing symptoms.

Other conditions:

• Hemophilia: A genetic disorder that impairs the body's ability to form blood clots, leading to excessive bleeding.
• Thrombophilia: Thrombophilia refers to a condition that increases the risk of blood clot formation. This condition may be inherited or acquired and can cause complications like DVT ( deep vein thrombosis), and other thromboembolic conditions.
• Anemia: It is a condition characterized by the deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin ( protein in red blood cells that moves oxygen to all tissues) in the body.

What Tests or Diagnostic Procedures are Done Under Hematology Oncology?

Some of the tests conducted under hematology oncology include the following:

1. Pelvic Examination: This is an examination of the pelvic area to assess for any abnormalities, such as masses, growths, or changes in the uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, or vulva.
2. Imaging Studies: Certain imaging techniques may be used to assess the severity of the condition. These include:

• Ultrasound: Ultrasound may be utilized to produce images of various organs and blood flow in real time. It helps the healthcare expert to see the structures inside the body without any surgery.
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: CT scans may be used to obtain detailed cross-sectional images of the blood vessels, tissues, and bones to assess for the spread of cancer.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI scan helps produce images of body structures using magnetism and radio waves. It helps show up soft tissues with clarity.

Blood Tests:

• Complete blood count (CBC): CBC is a blood test that is used to diagnose various hematological conditions. It measures the count of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin concentration.
• Differential blood counts: These tests measure the count of each type of white blood cell in the blood. It provides information on whether the cells are over-developed or under-developed
• The prothrombin time (PT) test: This test evaluates the amount of time it takes your blood to clot.

What are the Various Treatment Options Under Hematology Oncology?

Here are some common treatment options under hematology-oncology:

1. Chemotherapy: It involves giving patients certain drugs to destroy cancer cells in the body. This treatment is generally combined with other treatments such as stem cell therapy.
2. Targeted therapy: In this treatment, drugs are guided more precisely to kill cancer cells. Unlike chemotherapy, which impacts both cancerous and normal cells, targeted therapy targets only cancerous cells.
3. Immunotherapy: This treatment boosts the body's immune system to help kill cancer cells.
4. Stem-cell transplantation: Stem-cell transplant is used to treat cancers of the bone marrow. It involves replacing damaged and cancerous stem cells with healthy stem cells in the marrow. The healthy cells can be taken from the patient itself, a donor, or umbilical cord blood.
5. Radiation therapy (radiotherapy): Radiotherapy or radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to destroy cancer cells in the body. This treatment option is used to shrink tumors or help prepare the body for stem cell transplant by removing cancerous cells in the bone marrow.
6. Surgery: Some of the surgical procedures conducted include:

• Lymph node dissection (lymphadenectomy): Lymphadenectomy is a surgical procedure conducted to excise lymph nodes from the body. It helps prevent the spread of cancer and is typically performed to treat lymphoma, melanoma, and certain solid tumors.
• Splenic surgery: In some cases of blood diseases, such as certain types of lymphoma or myeloproliferative disorders, surgical removal of the spleen (splenectomy) may be essential.
• Tumor Resection: The tumor resection procedure helps remove the primary tumor. This treatment option is majorly used to treat early-stage cancers that have not extended to other parts of the body. Tumor resection can be performed using both open surgery and minimally invasive techniques.