Blood Cancers
Your blood is living tissue made up of liquid and solids. The liquid part, called plasma, is made of water, salts, and protein. Over half of your blood is plasma. The solid part of your blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
Red blood cells deliver oxygen from your lungs to your tissues and organs. White blood cells fight infection and are part of your body's defense system. Platelets help the blood to clot. Bone marrow, the spongy material inside your bones, makes new blood cells. Blood cells constantly die, and your body makes new ones. Red blood cells live about 120 days, platelets six days and white cells less than one day.
There are many types of blood disorders, including:
- bleeding disorders
- platelet disorders
- bone marrow disorders
- hemophilia
- anemia
Common blood cancers include:
What to Expect at a Hematology Appointment at Virginia Oncology Associates
If you've been referred to a hematologist, it could be for a blood cancer diagnosis. However, there are many non-cancerous blood disorders treated by a hematologist at a cancer center.
Find out what you might experience during a hematology appointment at Virginia Oncology Associates. Our hematologist walks you through the typical experience as well as other types of tests that may be needed and questions he's often asked.
Patients with blood disorders require an accurate diagnosis to receive the best care for their specific diagnosis. The hematologists at Virginia Oncology Associates are experts in diagnosing and treating different types of blood cancers and conditions. Our cancer centers are located throughout Hampton Roads, Northeast North Carolina, and the surrounding areas.
Listen to our podcast episode about blood cancers.
On this episode of Cancer Care Connections, Dr. Jared Kobulnicky, hematologist oncologist for Virginia Oncology Associates, discusses what blood cancer is and the latest developments in treatment for patients with a blood cancer, including immunotherapy and targeted therapy. He also talks about the importance of clinical trials in the advancement of cancer treatments and breaks down the misconceptions about medicines received during a patient’s participation.