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Diseases & Conditions- Adult Health Library
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Hematology and Blood Disorders
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia What is acute lymphocytic leukemia? Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of the blood in which too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are produced by the bone marrow and by organs of the lymph system. Normally, the lymphocytes fight infection. But, in ALL, the cells are immature and overabundant. They crowd out other blood cells, and may collect in the blood, bone marrow, and lymph tissue. Acute leukemia can grow quickly and requires treatment as soon as pos...
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia What is acute myelogenous leukemia? Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) is a cancer of the blood usually in which too many early forms of white blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. Normally, bone marrow cells mature into several different types of blood cells. AML usually affects the young blood cells (called blasts) that normally develop into a type of white blood cell (called granulocytes). The main function of granulocytes is to destroy bacteria. The blasts, which do n...
Alpha Thalassemia
Alpha Thalassemia What is alpha thalassemia? Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that affects the production of normal hemoglobin (a type of protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body). Thalassemia includes a number of different forms of anemia, including the alpha thalassemias. The severity and type of anemia depends upon the number of genes that are affected. What causes alpha thalassemia? Alpha thalassemia is caused by mutations in the alpha chain of the hemoglobin mol...
Anemia of B12 Deficiency (Pernicious Anemia)
Anemia of B 12 Deficiency (Pernicious Anemia) What is vitamin B 12 deficiency anemia? Vitamin B 12 deficiency anemia is one of several types of megaloblastic anemia. Megaloblastic anemia is a type of anemia characterized by very large red blood cells. In addition to the cells being large, the inner contents of each cell are not completely developed. This malformation causes the bone marrow to produce fewer cells, and sometimes the cells die earlier than the 120-day life expectancy. Instead of being roun...
Anemia of Folate Deficiency
Anemia of Folate Deficiency What is folate-deficiency anemia? Folate deficiency is the lack of folic acid (one of the B vitamins) in the blood, which can cause a type of anemia known as megaloblastic anemia. Folic acid is a B vitamin required for the production of normal red blood cells. What is megaloblastic anemia? Megaloblastic anemia is a type of anemia characterized by very large red blood cells. In addition to the cells being large, the inner contents of each cell are not completely developed. Thi...
Anemias
Anemias M any types of anemias require clinical care by a physician or other health care professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Overview of Anemia Aplastic Anemia Anemia of Folate Deficiency G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) Deficiency Hemolytic Anemia Iron-Deficiency Anemia Megaloblastic (Pernicious) Anemia Sickle Cell Disease
Aplastic Anemia
Aplastic Anemia What is aplastic anemia? Aplastic anemia occurs when the bone marrow produces too few of all three types of blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A reduced number of red blood cells causes hemoglobin to drop. A reduced number of white blood cells makes the patient susceptible to infection. And, a reduced number of platelets causes the blood not to clot the way it should. What causes aplastic anemia? Aplastic anemia has multiple causes. Some of these causes are i...
Beta Thalassemia (Cooley's Anemia)
Beta Thalassemia (Cooley's Anemia) What is beta thalassemia? Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that affects the production of normal hemoglobin (a type of iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body). Thalassemia includes a number of different forms of anemia, which are classified as either alpha thalassemias or beta thalasemias. The severity and type of anemia depend on the number of genes that are affected. Beta thalassemia is caused by abnormal or missing ge...
Bleeding / Clotting Disorders
Bleeding / Clotting Disorders Many different bleeding disorders require clinical care by a physician or other health care professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Hemophilia Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura Thrombosis
Blood Disorders
Blood Disorders M any hematology and blood disorders require clinical care by a physician or other health care professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the Hematology & Blood Disorders Online Resources page in this website for an Internet address that may contain additional information on that topic. Anemias Thalassemias Bleeding / Clotting Disorders Hemochromatosis ...
Blood Donations/Blood Banking
Blood Donations/Blood Banking What is blood banking? Blood banking is the process that takes place in the laboratory to ensure that donated blood, or blood products, are safe before they are used in blood transfusions and other medical procedures. Blood banking includes typing the blood for transfusion and testing for infectious diseases. Facts about blood banking According to 2008 statistics from the American Association of Blood Banks: About 40,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day. The nu...
Blood Transfusions
Blood Transfusions Why are blood transfusions performed? There are several different components of the blood that can be transfused into an adult. Red blood cells are the most common type of blood product transfusion. If your health care provider has decided you might need a transfusion of blood, or blood products, he or she will explain the reasons for the transfusion. There are several reasons why you may require a blood transfusion, including the following: A sudden loss of blood because of trauma An...
Bone Marrow Transplantation
Bone Marrow Transplantation What is a bone marrow transplant? Bone marrow transplant (BMT) is a special therapy for patients with certain cancers or other diseases. A bone marrow transplant involves taking cells that are normally found in the bone marrow (stem cells), filtering those cells, and giving them back either to the donor (patient) or to another person. The goal of BMT is to transfuse healthy bone marrow cells into a person after their own unhealthy bone marrow has been treated to kill the abno...
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia What is chronic lymphocytic leukemia? Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a cancer of the blood in which too many lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are produced by the bone marrow and organs of the lymph system. Normally, most lymphocytes fight infection by making antibodies that attack harmful elements. But, in CLL, the cells are immature and overabundant. They crowd out other blood cells, and may collect in the blood, bone marrow, and lymph tissue. CLL is a slowly...
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia What is chronic myelogenous leukemia? Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a cancer of the blood in which too many granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, build up in the bone marrow. Normally, bone marrow cells mature into several different types of blood cells. CML affects the young blood cells called blasts that normally develop into a type of white blood cell called granulocytes. The main function of granulocytes is to destroy bacteria. The blasts do not mature, incre...
Facts About Blood
Facts About Blood What is blood? Blood is the life-maintaining fluid that circulates through the body's: Arteries Veins Capillaries What is the function of blood? Blood carries the following to the body tissues: Nourishment Electrolytes Hormones Vitamins Antibodies Heat Oxygen Blood carries the following away from the body tissues: Waste matter Carbon dioxide Click Image to Enlarge What are the components of blood? The components of human blood include: Plasma. This is the liquid component of blood in w...
G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) Deficiency
G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) Deficiency What is G6PD deficiency? G6PD deficiency is the lack of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (an enzyme present in red blood cells) in the blood, which can cause a type of anemia known as hemolytic anemia. Red blood cells carry oxygen in the body and G6PD protects these cells from molecules called reactive oxygen that may build up when you have a fever or take certain medications. If there are too many of these chemicals, they can destroy the red blood ce...
Glossary - Hematology and Blood Disorders
Glossary - Hematology and Blood Disorders | A | | B | | C | | D | | E | | F | | G | | H | | I | | J | | K | | L | | M | | N | | O | | P | | Q | | R | | S | | T | | U | | V | | W | | X | | Y | | Z | A [return to top] acute - severe; sharp; begins quickly. acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) - a rapidly progressing cancer of the blood in which too many immature (not fully formed) lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are found in the bone marrow, blood, spleen, liver, and other organs. acute myelogenous l...
Hemochromatosis
Hereditary Hemochromatosis What is hemochromatosis? Hereditary hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders in the U.S. It is a metabolic disorder that causes increased absorption of iron from the digestive tract. The iron is deposited in the body tissues and organs. Over time, the iron accumulates in the body where it may become toxic and cause damage. Excess iron in the heart, liver, pancreas, and pituitary causes the more severe complications of hereditary hemochromatosis. Other forms ...
Hemolytic Anemia
Hemolytic Anemia What is hemolytic anemia? Hemolytic anemia is a disorder in which the red blood cells are destroyed faster than the bone marrow can produce them. The term for destruction of red blood cells is hemolysis . There are two types of hemolytic anemia, intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic. The destruction of the red blood cells is due to a defect within the red blood cells themselves. Intrinsic hemolytic anemias are often inherited, such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. These conditions pr...
Hemophilia
Hemophilia What is hemophilia? Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding, or coagulation, disorder. Children with hemophilia lack the ability to stop bleeding because of the low levels, or complete absence, of specific proteins, called factors , in their blood that are necessary for clotting. Proper clotting of blood helps prevent excessive bleeding. What are the different types of hemophilia? There are many factors in the blood that are involved in the forming of clots to stop bleeding. A child with hemophil...
Hodgkin Disease
Hodgkin Disease What is Hodgkin disease? Hodgkin disease is a type of lymphoma, a cancer in the lymphatic system. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2012 about 9,060 new cases will be diagnosed, and approximately 1,190 people will die from the disease. About 10 to 15 percent of cases are found in children and teenagers. Hodgkin disease causes the cells in the lymphatic system to abnormally reproduce, which can then form tumors in lymph nodes or other parts of the body. Hodgkin disease cells c...
Home Page - Hematology and Blood Disorders
Topic Index Facts About Blood Blood Donations / Blood Banking Blood Transfusions Bone Marrow Transplantation Hematology & Blood Disorders Glossary Blood is the life-maintaining fluid that circulates through the body's heart, arteries, veins, and capillaries. It carries away waste products and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, heat, and oxygen to the tissues. Because the functions of blood are many and complex, many disorders require clinical care by a physician or oth...
Immune (Idiopathic) Thrombocytopenic Purpura
Immune (Idiopathic) Thrombocytopenic Purpura What is immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)? ITP is a blood disorder characterized by an abnormal decrease in the number of platelets in the blood. Platelets are cells in the blood that help stop bleeding. A decrease in platelets can result in easy bruising, bleeding gums, and internal bleeding. This disease was initially called idiopathic , which meant that the cause was unknown. The I in ITP was changed to immune once it was demonstrated that this disease...
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Iron-Deficiency Anemia What is iron-deficiency anemia? The most common cause of anemia worldwide is iron deficiency. Iron is needed to form hemoglobin, part of red blood cells that carry oxygen and remove carbon dioxide (a waste product) from the body. Iron is mostly stored in the body in the hemoglobin. About 30 percent of iron is also stored as ferritin and hemosiderin in the bone marrow, spleen, and liver. What causes iron-deficiency anemia? Iron-deficiency anemia may be caused by the following: Diet...
Leukemia Index
Leukemia Index There are several types of leukemias that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Overview of Leukemias Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Lymphomas
Lymphomas There are many types of lymphomas that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview. Hodgkin Disease Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma What is non-Hodgkin lymphoma? Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer in the lymphatic system. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 70,000 new cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2012. Although NHL is among the most common cancers in childhood, more than 95 percent of cases occur in adults. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma causes the cells in the lymphatic system to abnormally reproduce, eventually causing tumors to grow. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells can also spread to other...
Online Resources - Hematology and Blood Disorders
Online Resources - Hematology and Blood Disorders This Web was compiled from a variety of sources including the online resources listed below, but is not intended to substitute or replace the professional medical advice you receive from your health care provider. The content provided here is for informational purposes only, and was not designed to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. ...
Overview of Anemia
Overview of Anemia What is anemia? Anemia is a common blood disorder that occurs when there are fewer red blood cells than normal, or there is a low concentration of hemoglobin in the blood. Hemoglobin . The iron-containing protein inside the red blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to tissues in the body. Hematocrit . The percentage of a volume of blood that is made up by the red blood cells. Anemia is often a symptom of a disease rather than a disease itself. Anemia usually develops due to th...
Overview of Leukemias
Overview of Leukemias What is leukemia? Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells--usually the white blood cells. Leukemic cells look different than normal cells and do not function properly. What are the different types of leukemia? There are four main types of leukemia, which can be further divided into subtypes. When classifying the type of leukemia, the first steps are to determine if the cancer is: Lymphocytic or myelogenous leukemia. Cancer can occur in either the lymphoid or myeloid white blood cells...
Polycythemia Vera
Polycythemia Vera What is polycythemia vera? Polycythemia vera is a rare blood disorder in which there is an increase in all blood cells, particularly red blood cells. The increase in blood cells makes the blood more viscous (thick), leading to strokes or tissue and organ damage. What causes polycythemia vera? Polycythemia vera is one type of myeloproliferative disorder (MPD). Bone marrow contains stem cells that have the ability to mature into adult blood cells that enter the circulation, including red...
Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle Cell Disease What is sickle cell disease? Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder characterized by defective hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues of the body). Sickle cell disease inhibits the ability of hemogloblin in red blood cells to carry oxygen. Cells containing normal hemoglobin are smooth, disk-shaped, and flexible, like doughnuts without holes, so they can move through the vessels in our bodies easily. Cells containing sickle cell hemoglo...
Thalassemias
Thalassemias Thalassemia is an inherited disorder that affects the production of normal hemoglobin (a type of protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to the tissues in the body). Thalassemia includes a number of different forms of anemia. The severity and type of anemia depends upon the number of genes that are affected. Listed in the directory below, you will find additional information regarding two different types of thalassemia, for which we have provided a brief overview. Alpha Thalassemia B...
Thrombocythemia
Thrombocythemia What is thrombocythemia? Thrombocythemia, also called primary or essential thrombocythemia, is a myeloproliferative disorder. It is characterized by the production of too many platelets in the bone marrow. Too many platelets make normal clotting of blood difficult. This can result in too much clotting, or not enough clotting. What causes thrombocythemia? There may be no single cause for thrombocythemia. It is believed to be caused by mutations to megakaryocytes, the platelet-making cells...
Thrombosis
Thrombosis What is thrombosis? Thrombosis occurs when clots obstruct or block veins (blood vessels that carry blood from the body back into the heart) or arteries (blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the body). Venous thrombosis is when the blood clot obstructs a vein, and arterial thrombosis is when the blood clot obstructs an artery. What causes thrombosis? Venous thrombosis may be the result of the following: Disease or injury to the veins in the legs Immobility for any r...
Topic Index - Hematology and Blood Disorders
Topic Index - Hematology and Blood Disorders Hematology & Blood Disorders Home Facts About Blood Blood Donations / Blood Banking Blood Transfusions Bone Marrow Transplantation Blood Disorders Anemias Overview of Anemia Aplastic Anemia Anemia of Folate Deficiency G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) Deficiency Hemolytic Anemia Iron-Deficiency Anemia Megaloblastic (Pernicious) Anemia Sickle Cell Disease Thalassemias Alpha Thalassemia Beta Thalassemia (Cooley's Anemia) Bleeding / Clotting Disorders...
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