Benign Hematology
At West Cancer Center, benign blood disorders are treated using a team-based approach. Our hematology specialists provide personalized care for conditions that affect blood cells, blood clotting, and the bone marrow, including anemia, bleeding and clotting disorders, and other non-cancerous blood disorders. Each patient’s condition is unique, and our team works to develop a treatment plan that addresses your individual needs while providing compassionate, expert care.
Anemia
Low red blood cell count or low hemoglobin
Risk Factors
• Poor diet
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Gastrointestinal blood loss
• Chronic disease
• Malabsorption
Common Symptoms
• Fatigue, weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Pale skin
• Dizziness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Cold hands and feet
• Headaches.
Diagnosis
Complete blood count (CBC), hemoglobin/hematocrit, red blood cell indices, reticulocyte count, iron studies (ferritin, iron, TIBC/transferrin saturation), and evaluation for blood loss when appropriate.
Treatment Options
• Iron, vitamin B12, or folate replacement
• Treatment of bleeding or the underlying condition
• Blood transfusion for severe cases
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
Low iron levels that limit cell production
Risk Factors
• Low dietary iron
• Blood loss
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Pregnancy
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Poor iron absorption.
Common Symptoms
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Pale skin
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Brittle nails
• Unusual cravings such as ice.
Diagnosis
CBC, ferritin, serum iron, TIBC/transferrin saturation, and evaluation for a source of blood loss when indicated.
Treatment Options
• Oral or intravenous iron replacement and treatment of the underlying cause of iron loss.
Hemolytic Anemia
Destruction of red blood cells faster than bone marrow makes them
Risk Factors
• Inherited conditions
• Autoimmune disease
• Infections
• Certain medications
• Other conditions that cause red blood cells to break down prematurely.
Common Symptoms
• Fatigue
• Jaundice
• Dark urine
• Pale skin
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Enlarged spleen.
Diagnosis
CBC, reticulocyte count, bilirubin, LDH, haptoglobin, peripheral blood smear, and sometimes a direct antiglobulin (Coombs) test.
Treatment Options
• Treatment of the underlying cause
• Corticosteroids or other immune therapies
• Folate replacement
• Medication changes
• Blood transfusion
• Rarely, removal of the spleen
Thalassemia
Genetic fault causing abnormal hemoglobin production.
Risk Factors
• Inherited gene changes affecting hemoglobin production
• risk is higher when one or both parents carry a thalassemia trait
Common Symptoms
• Mild cases may have no symptoms
• Fatigue
• Anemia
• Jaundice
• Enlarged spleen
• Delayed growth
Diagnosis
CBC and red blood cell indices, peripheral smear, iron studies, hemoglobin analysis/electrophoresis, and genetic testing when needed.
Treatment Options
• Observation and folate for mild disease
• Regular blood transfusions for more severe cases
• Iron-chelation therapy
• Specialized treatments for selected patients
Hemophilia
Genetic deficiency in clotting factors causing prolonged bleeding.
Risk Factors
• Inherited changes in clotting factor genes
• Most commonly affecting factor VIII or IX
• Primarily affects males with X-linked disease.
Common Symptoms
• Easy or prolonged bleeding
• Excessive bleeding after injury or procedures
• Nosebleeds
• Bleeding into joints or muscles.
Diagnosis
CBC, PT/INR, aPTT, clotting factor assays, and genetic testing when appropriate.
Treatment Options
• Replacement of the missing clotting factor, either on demand or regularly for prevention
• Newer therapies may also be used for some patients.
Von Willebrand Disease
Common inherited protein deficiency affecting platelet sticking.
Risk Factors
• Bleeding risk may be increased by surgery, dental procedures, trauma, or certain medications.
Common Symptoms
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Easy bruising
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Prolonged bleeding after dental work, injury or surgery
Diagnosis
CBC, von Willebrand factor antigen and activity tests, factor VIII level, and additional specialized testing when needed.
Treatment Options
• Desmopressin, a man-made hormone that tells the kidneys to make less urine, for selected patients
• Von Willebrand factor replacement
• Antifibrinolytic medications
• Treatment of bleeding triggers
Thrombophilia
Tendency to form abnormal blood clots like deep vein thrombosis
Risk Factors
• Inherited clotting conditions
• Cancer
• Surgery
• Prolonged immobility
• Pregnancy
• Hormone therapy
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Previous blood clot.
Common Symptoms
• May cause no symptoms until a clot occurs
• Leg swelling or pain
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden neurologic symptoms.
Diagnosis
Medical history and risk assessment; testing may include imaging for suspected clots and selected blood tests or thrombophilia testing when clinically appropriate.
Treatment Options
• Anticoagulant medication based on clot risk and history
• Movement and physical activity
• Compression
• Management of underlying risk factors
• Prevention and treatment depend on individual clot risk and history
Factor V Leiden
Inherited gene mutation that increases blood clot risks.
Risk Factors
• Inherited Factor V Leiden mutation
• Surgery
• Pregnancy
• Estrogen-containing medications
• Prolonged immobility
• Prior clot
Common Symptoms
• The mutation itself causes no symptoms
• Leg pain/swelling
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Other clot-related symptoms
Diagnosis
Activated protein C resistance testing and/or genetic testing for the Factor V Leiden mutation; evaluation for a blood clot may require ultrasound or other imaging.
Treatment Options
• Many people never need treatment
• Anticoagulation may be prescribed when a blood clot occurs or when risk is sufficiently high
• Preventive measures are important during high-risk situations
Thrombocytopenia
Low platelet counts leading to easy bruising and bleeding.
Risk Factors
• Medications
• infections
• Immune disorders
• Liver or spleen disease
• Bone marrow conditions
• Pregnancy
• Inherited disorders
Common Symptoms
• Easy bruising
• Petechiae (small red or purple spots)
• Nosebleeds
• Bleeding gums
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Prolonged bleeding
Diagnosis
CBC with platelet count, peripheral blood smear, review of medications and medical history, and additional testing based on the suspected cause.
Treatment Options
• Observation
• Stopping a causative medication
• Treatment of an underlying infection
• Steroids or immune therapy
• Platelet transfusion
• Other specialized treatments based on the cause and severity
Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
Immune system attacks and destroys platelets.
Risk Factors
• Often follows an infection
• May be associated with autoimmune disease
• Certain medications or other immune triggers
• Sometimes no cause is identified
Common Symptoms
• Easy bruising
• Petechiae
• Nosebleeds
• Bleeding gums
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Other bleeding
• Some people have no symptoms
Diagnosis
CBC and peripheral blood smear, medical history, physical examination, and testing to rule out other causes of low platelets when indicated.
Treatment Options
• Observation for mild cases
• Corticosteroids
• IVIG
• Thrombopoietin receptor agonists
• Rituximab
• Splenectomy for persistent or severe disease
Neutropenia
Low white blood cell count that increases infection risks
Risk Factors
• Chemotherapy or other medications
• Viral infections
• Autoimmune disorders
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Bone marrow disorders
• Inherited conditions.
Common Symptoms
• Often no symptoms from the low count itself
• Severe neutropenia can increase the risk of fever and serious bacterial or fungal infections
Diagnosis
CBC with differential and absolute neutrophil count (ANC), medical history, medication review, and additional tests or bone marrow evaluation when indicated.
Treatment Options
• Treat the underlying cause
• Adjust causative medications when appropriate
• Growth-factor therapy for selected patients
• Promptly treat infections
• Fever with severe neutropenia requires urgent medical evaluation
Leukocytosis
Abnormally high white blood cell count due to infection or inflammation
Risk Factors
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Stress
• Smoking
• Medications
• Less commonly a bone marrow disorder.
Common Symptoms
• Often no symptoms from the elevated count itself
• Symptoms are usually related to the underlying condition
• Fever
• Pain
• Fatigue
• Inflammation
Diagnosis
CBC with differential, review of symptoms and medical history, repeat testing when appropriate, peripheral smear, and additional evaluation if the elevation persists or is unexplained.
Treatment Options
• Treatment focuses on the underlying cause
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Medication effects
• Bone marrow disorders may require different treatments