If I See a Hematologist, Do I Have Cancer?

What Does a Hematologist Do?

A hematologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of blood diseases. Think of them as an expert in all things blood related. Examples include bleeding disorders, anemia, blood clots and clotting disorders, and hemophilia.

A hematologist helps treat both cancerous and noncancerous conditions that affect any part of the blood, such as white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets and related organs, such as the bone marrow and spleen.

Your primary care provider may refer you to a hematologist if you have an abnormal blood test. Your hematologist typically orders follow-up blood tests, so they can learn more about your blood. They then work with pathologists to analyze the blood and use their expertise to diagnose or rule out a blood disorder. They may even identify another condition that a different specialist can treat.

Is a Hematologist a Cancer Doctor?

Within hematology, you may work with any of these specialists:

• Hematologists — Specialize in diagnosing and treating blood diseases.
• Oncologists — Specialize in treating cancers.
• Hematologist oncologists — Specialize in blood cancer or suspected blood cancer, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, Non-Hodgkin or Hodgkin lymphoma.

How Hematology and Oncology Are Related

In many health systems, including El Camino Health, the hematology department is part of or near the oncology department. Hematology is closely connected to oncology because hematologists specialize in abnormal blood cells, which are common in people with all types of cancer. People receiving cancer treatment also may have blood-related complications that a hematologist can help resolve. Because of the overlap, most hematologists and oncologists on your care team work closely together, or they are one and the same.

That doesn’t mean all, or even most, hematology patients have a cancerous blood condition, though. In fact, non-cancerous blood conditions are equally important for hematologists to diagnose and treat.

Reasons to Visit a Hematologist

You may need to see a hematologist if your healthcare provider notices something abnormal during your regular annual exam and bloodwork, you need to be cleared for an upcoming surgery, or you have symptoms of a blood disorder or related condition, including:

• Abnormal bleeding or bruising
• Extreme tiredness or weakness
• Shortness of breath
• A fever or infection that won’t go away or keeps coming back

Another reason to see a hematologist is if you have a blood-related cancer. These cancers are different than solid tumor cancers. Blood cancer means the cancer lives in the body’s blood cells and needs specialized treatment, such as a stem cell transplant.

Do Hematologists Test for Cancer?

Most general hematologists test for and treat every kind of blood disorder. Some hematologists also diagnose blood cancers — like lymphoma, leukemia and myeloma. Your hematologist works with pathologists in the lab to analyze a blood sample for blood cancer.

Do I Need a Referral to See a Hematologist?

Before you see a hematologist, you need a referral from another doctor. Most of our patients receive referrals from their primary care provider, OB/GYN or another specialist.

The referral process ensures you get the best care for your needs. Your current healthcare provider help you determine if the symptoms you’re experiencing require a hematologist’s perspective. After you’re referred to hematology, your hematologist will continue working with your referring healthcare provider so that all your care is seamless. You may only see a hematologist temporarily for a specific reason or for longer-term support.

Learn about your first hematology appointment and how we can help with referrals.

Hematology Care and Infusion at the Cancer Center

Your hematologist helps diagnose any blood-related conditions and comes up with a treatment plan. Sometimes, treatment may involve infusion therapy at our Cancer Center. You may receive infusion therapy for non-cancerous (benign) conditions or hematologic cancers (malignant).

You’ll find a wide range of amenities and supportive services available to all patients who receive care at either of our infusion center locations, whether you have a benign or malignant condition.

Is Infusion the Same Thing as Chemotherapy?

An infusion is not the same as chemotherapy, but you may receive chemotherapy as an infusion.

Infusion is a method for receiving medication. The type of medication you receive, though, depends on your condition. Some people get chemotherapy during an infusion, while others get hydration, immunotherapy or another medicine.

Explore Hematology Care at El Camino Health

Whether your blood condition is cancerous or not, the expert hematology team at El Camino Health is ready to help. Work with a patient-focused care team and see why patients in the South Bay trust us to deliver the best hematology care — all close to home.

Call 650-988-8338 if you have questions, need a referral for hematologic care or want more information to prepare for your appointment.