Hematology Q & A

What is hematology / hemato-oncology ?

Hematology / hemato-oncology is the branch of science that deals with cancer and non-cancer disorders of the following four liquid organs.

  • Blood cells,
  • Bone marrow cells (production unit),
  • Lymph(Development area) ,
  • Spleen (Storage and filter organ)
What diseases do hemato-oncologists/hematologists treat?

Diseases arising from all four liquid organs, which can be either, Cancerous / Malignant Leukaemia (ALL, AML, CLL, CML, Myelofibrosis, Myelodysplastic syndromes), Lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s), Myeloma.

Non-Cancerous: Pancytopenia, Aplastic Anemia, Pyrexia of unknown origin, ITP, TTP, DVT, Hemophilia, Thalassemia, Sickle Cell Anemia.

Why would you need a hematology /Hemato oncologist consultation?

This consultation is for Bone Marrow Transplant, cancer and non-cancer diseases. We know that unlike solid organs (brain, liver, lungs, stomach, etc.), blood is not limited/restricted to one particular area. So, if it is not detected on time or not guided properly, then we may not achieve the desired quality outcome.

What are cancerous hematological disorders/ liquid organ disorders ?
Leukaemia (ALL, AML, CLL, CML, MDS, Myelofibrosis), Lymphoma (Hodgkin’s and Non-Hodgkin’s), Plasma cell disorders including Multiple Myeloma.
How these cancerous hematological (liquid organ) disorders differ from solid organ cancers?
All the four liquid organs are closely linked with each other, starting from their origin to development, functions and subsequently their removal from the blood circulation by Spleen. Moreover, blood cells are our policemen and army. So, if there is a delay in the detection and treatment, it can lead to an advanced stage with more chances of failure, higher hospital billing, mental and physical stress for patients and family. We can minimise unnecessary tests and treatment including, repeated Bone Marrow examinations and Blood Transfusions.
I don't have cancer. Do I need to consult a hemato-oncologist/hematologist?
A hematologist also treats non-cancerous disorders in children, adults as well as the elderly population. Sometimes, these are even more serious than cancerous. For examples, Congenital Immune Deficiencies, Aplastic Anemia, Pancytopenia, TTP, HLH.
Is it possible to detect these critical disorders like Blood Cancer, Lymphoma, Myeloma early?
Everything is possible in life subjected to right guidance at an early stage. Identifying early symptoms will help in early detection. Symptoms like persistent fever, unexplained weight loss, decreased food intake, weakness, reddish/bluish spots over the skin, nodular swelling on neck, armpits are a few examples. Nowadays, routine health check-ups include the most common test i,e. Complete Blood Count (CBC/CBP). If this test has been performed at the right center and analysed by a good hematologist, we club these tests along with proper physical examination. More than 70% of these critical but highly curable hematological disorders can be detected early.
What are the tests required to detect the disorder early?
Doing blood tests alone is not sufficient to diagnose solid/liquid disorders at an early stage, what matters is who is analysing these tests and where the tests are being performed. Nowadays, there are a lot of laboratories which are doing the tests at lesser cost without giving attention to the quality. This leads to either missing the details of the diagnosis or doing more diagnosis or tests.
We heard that Blood Cancer or Leukaemia is not curable. What's the truth?
In Acute Leukaemia (ALL, AML), there are always chances of cure. We have examples of Acute Leukemia cases which Dr Gupta has treated successfully and his patients are now happily married and enjoying life with family and kids.
I don't have any hemato-oncology cancer (Leukaemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma)

When we hear shocking news about cancer affecting someone we know, the first few things that come to our mind are:

Will he/ she survive?
What is the stage of this cancer?
Let us go to one of the branded hospitals or visit our family doctor or meet a cancer specialist doctor who has treated one of our friends/relatives.

Dr S.K. Gupta comes with a lot of experience in this field. He has been a part of almost 250 Bone Marrow transplants and is also a specialist. He is the best hematologist in India who possesses a friendly nature towards his patients and family.

Best hematologist in hyderabad

MEET OUR DOCTOR

With a renowned experience of 15 years, Dr. SK Gupta’s time in the field is the backbone of the Institute. Having started out as a medical student he eventually sprouted to performing over 250 bone marrow transplants to those suffering from blood disorders.
But his expertise does not end here.

He is specialised in various other arrays including Leukemia, Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Aplastic Anemia, Thalassemia and Sickle cell diseases, Hemophagocytic syndromes and so on.

An ongoing struggle globally is treating patients on time and Dr. SK Gupta’s morale hits exactly that very spot! He has dealt with cases where adults have been affected by the same by following his principle of giving timely treatment.