A blood disorder can affect many parts of your health. At SBH Health System, our hematologists diagnose and treat common blood diseases and blood cancers.

We care for people with anemia, sickle cell disease, clotting problems, leukemia, lymphoma and other conditions. We also provide chemotherapy and other cancer treatments in our infusion center.

Our team takes time to explain your condition and treatment choices. We create a care plan based on your health needs and priorities.

Our hematologists care for people with:

• Anemia
• Bleeding and clotting disorders
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Sickle cell disease
• Multiple myeloma
• Other common blood disorders and blood cancers

Some blood disorders can cause tiredness, weakness, easy bruising or unusual bleeding. Others may not cause clear symptoms at first. Our team uses blood tests, bone marrow tests and other tools to find the problem and plan your care.

Blood tests can measure:

• Platelets, which help your blood clot
• Red blood cells, which carry oxygen
• White blood cells, which help fight infection

Other tests can show how well your blood clots or whether your blood cells look different than expected.

Your hematologist reviews the results and uses them to guide your care.

Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside your bones where blood cells are made.

During a bone marrow aspiration, a doctor uses a needle to remove a small amount of liquid bone marrow. During a biopsy, the doctor removes a small piece of bone marrow tissue.

These tests are often done at the same time. They can help diagnose or monitor leukemia, anemia and other blood disorders.

Chemotherapy uses medicine to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. It’s often delivered through an IV or taken by mouth.

Immunotherapy helps the body’s immune system find and attack cancer cells. It works differently from chemotherapy and may be an option for some patients.

Both chemotherapy and immunotherapy can cause side effects. Your team will tell you what to expect and help you manage any side effects you may experience during treatment.

Your treatment may include:

• Medicine to help your body make or protect blood cells
• Medicine to prevent or treat blood clots
• Red blood cell transfusions
• Platelet transfusions
• Other treatments based on your condition

Your hematologist will explain why a treatment is needed and how it may help.

Some people bleed too easily, while others have a higher risk of blood clots. Blood tests can help your doctor learn how well your blood is clotting.

If you take blood-thinning medicine, your care team may also use test results to make sure your treatment is working safely.