Hematology
Hematology, medical specialty concerned with the study of blood and blood-forming tissues. Physicians in this field are known as hematologists. They study, diagnose, and treat blood disorders such as leukemia , anemia , and hemophilia , as well as diseases of the organs that produce blood, including the lymph nodes, bone marrow, and spleen. Hematologists use laboratory-based blood tests to diagnose a variety of disorders. Of particular importance are blood tests that provide information about the cellular components of a patient's blood. The most common test, called a complete blood count (CBC), indicates the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in a given unit of blood. Hematologists also examine blood samples under a microscope to identify abnormal blood cells and diagnose blood diseases. In addition to testing for blood diseases, hematologists may also be called on to diagnose other types of disorders, such as hepatitis C, a chronic liver disease that is