Noncancerous Blood-Related Illnesses
Diseases of the blood, also known as hematologic disorders, come in many different forms. At the Benign Hematology Program at Tufts Medical Center, we specialize in diagnosing and treating noncancerous blood-related illnesses. We're also at the forefront of developing new therapies for these conditions.
Our expertise spans benign hematologic disorders such as:
- Anemias and other cytopenias (e.g. low white blood cell count, low platelet count)
- Bleeding and thrombotic diseases (inherited and acquired thrombophilias)
- Disorders of iron metabolism
- Sickle cell anemia and other genetic disorders of hemoglobin
- Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)
- Myeloproliferative syndromes
- Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
- Common variable immunodeficiency disorder
- Aplastic anemia and Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
We know it can be scary to face a blood disorder. So we're here to answer your questions, address your concerns and provide personalized care that maximizes your quality of life.
Strength in making the difficult diagnoses
During your initial visit to our clinic, our first priority is to determine the precise nature of your illness. Many patients come to us because their primary care provider or hematologist has been unable to arrive at a diagnosis. The experience of our Hematology Department and our collaborations with Tufts MC doctors often equip us to make diagnoses where others cannot.
Our special, world-class coagulation laboratory is capable of performing sophisticated evaluations of unusual bleeding disorders and clotting disorders. The laboratory's approach is personalized and collaborative to ensure success in making difficult diagnoses. (If tests show you have a cancerous blood disease, we'll oversee your transfer to one of our Cancer Center colleagues in the Hematologic Malignancies Program).
Once we've determined a diagnosis, we discuss treatment options and focus on patient education. We want you to understand how the disease can affect you, what treatment options are available and how best to care for yourself. If you have a disease that can be passed to offspring, we may refer you for genetic counseling at Tufts MC.
Conventional treatments for benign hematologic conditions include oral or intravenous medications along with blood transfusions. The transfusions can be administered on the day of your doctor’s visit through our infusion center, which is manned by highly trained specialty nurses. Support from the Tufts MC blood bank allows us to perform red cell and plasma exchange procedures to treat certain disorders. As mentioned above, we also offer a number of clinical trials that allow access to novel and promising new therapies.
Noncancerous blood-related illnesses can impact people in a variety of ways. Symptoms may last a lifetime, re-emerge from time to time or permanently disappear with therapy. Whatever your circumstances, we'll provide expert, compassionate care every step of the way.
