Benign Blood Disorders - West Cancer Center

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Ramakrishna Battini, MD

Sonia Benn, MD

Jason Chandler, MD

Robert A. Johnson, MD, FACP

Michael G. Martin, MD

Jason Porter, MD

Eric Wiedower, DO

West Cancer Center & Research Institute is positioned as the region’s comprehensive leader in adult cancer care and research. Our team at West offers unparalleled Benign Blood Disorder treatments for patients across the Mid-South. Benign blood disorders are inherited blood conditions and are usually managed with medication and lifestyle changes.

From diagnosis to treatment, our team of board certified hematologists utilize the latest technology and treatment protocols with a continued goal of positive outcomes and quality of life for each and every patient.

What are Benign Blood Disorders?

Blood disorders are serious illnesses that require rigorous medical care. They are not caused by uncontrolled cell growth, like cancer, but do require careful and serious medical attention. The blood disorders we treat include:

Anemia: a condition wherein the body does not produce enough red blood cells. One of our board certified hematologist can recommend treatment options based on your diagnosis.
Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purapura: This is a blood clotting and bleeding disorder where someone’s platelet count is low, making it difficult for blood to clot.
Essential Thrombocytosis: Reduces the blood’s clotting abilities because there are not enough platelets. In adults, this can be chronic or a permanent condition.
Hemophilia: a condition in which the blood does not clot properly. Hemophilia is a genetic blood disease that is usually passed from mothers (who do not have symptoms of the disorder) to sons.
Hypercoagulable Disorders: The body creates clots (normally used to stop bleeding until a cut is healed) where they are not needed, essentially blocking healthy blood vessels.
Idiopathic TP (ITP): Your blood does not clot and you bruise very easily. Certain medications may need to be avoided, but your specialist will design a treatment plan right for you.
Inherited Enzyme Disorders: Proteins in the blood are missing and too many lipids (fats) build up in the blood. Gaucher’s disease and Fabry’s disease are two common examples.
Myelodysplastic Syndromes: Affects the bone marrow and its capacity to make different blood components. Individual syndromes affect the red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.
Myelofibrosis: Causes the bone marrow to thicken and scar, which prevents it from producing enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body and are a key component for a healthy circulatory system.
Polycythemia: Results from the overproduction of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.

What are Common Symptoms?

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, we urge you to speak to your provider as soon as possible for further examination:

Bloody gums
Bloody urine or bowel movements
Bruising

Cuts that do not clot after an extended period of time
Nosebleeds
Tiny, flat blood spots under the skin

How We Diagnose Blood Disorders

Providers can select laboratory tests to help diagnose blood disorders based on a patient’s symptoms and the results of a physical examination. Sometimes a blood disorder causes no symptoms, but is discovered when a laboratory test is done for another reason. This test requires blood samples taken in our phlebotomy lab here at West Cancer Center. Some patients may have lab tests performed at a different location, but those results will be shared with our oncology team for further analysis.

How We Treat Benign Blood Disorders

Blood disorder treatment plans will vary based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, the type of diagnosis as well as the severity. Our dedicated team of blood specialists will discuss treatment options and plans with patients allowing them and their loved ones to consider all possible treatments.

Clotting and Bleeding Disorders

No treatment may be necessary beyond careful monitoring of platelet levels in the blood.
Medication may be necessary.
In rare cases, it may be necessary to remove the spleen, the organ that cleans blood.

Hypercoagulable Disorders

Treatment usually involves a course of anticoagulation medications

Hemophilia and Other Bleeding Disorders

Hormone injection
Infusion of a clotting factor, usually from donated blood
Preventative infusions of clotting factor

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