Hematology is the medical specialty that studies the blood, the hematopoietic organs (bone marrow, lymph nodes and the spleen being the main ones) and their diseases.

Remember that hematopoiesis refers to all the phenomena that contribute to the production and replacement of blood cells, namely:

• red blood cells or erythrocytes, which carry oxygen to the various organs and tissues of the body;
• white blood cells or leukocytes (monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, basophils and neutrophils), which defend the body against infections or the presence of foreign bodies. These are cells of the immune system;
• and platelets, which are responsible for blood clotting and stop bleeding.

 These cells are synthesized from the same so-called hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.

Many ailments fall within the scope of hematology. These include:

• polycythemia (excess red blood cells);
• anemia (deficit of red blood cells);
• la leukemia (excess white blood cells). A distinction is made, depending on the cells affected, between chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloblastic leukemia;
• leukopenia (deficit of white blood cells);
• hyperplateletosis (excess platelets);
• thrombocytopenia (deficiency of platelets);
• hemophilia (difficulty in clotting);
• lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system);
• or bone marrow aplasia (decrease in the production of blood cells by the bone marrow).

Some people are at greater risk for disorders of the blood and hematopoietic organs. Here are some recognized risk factors:

• exposure to certain chemicals;
• or exposure to ionizing radiation (3).

The hematologist takes care of blood diseases. Because among these conditions, there are leukemias and lymphomas, which are cancers, the hematologist has great knowledge in oncology.

The specialist questions his patient to better understand his symptoms, examines him rigorously, has him undergo tests and analyzes to complete his diagnosis.

Depending on this, he may set up heavy treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or even offer a bone marrow transplant.

The consultation with a hematologist does not involve any particular risks for the patient. Cancer treatments (chemotherapy or radiotherapy), on the other hand, are aggressive and have many undesirable effects. Their management is part of the role of the hematologist.

Training to become a hematologist in France 

To become a hematologist, you must have a specialized studies diploma (DES) in hematology:

• the student must first follow, after his baccalaureate, 6 years at the faculty of medicine;
• at the end of the 6th year, students take the national classifying tests to enter the boarding school. Depending on their classification, they will be able to choose their specialty and their place of practice. The DES in hematology is obtained after 4 years of internship in hematology.

Finally, to be able to practice and carry the title of doctor, the student must also defend a research thesis.

The training to become a hematologist hasu Quebec

After college studies, the student must:

• follow a doctorate in medicine, lasting 1 or 4 years (with or without a preparatory year for medicine for students admitted with a college or university training deemed insufficient in basic biological sciences);

specialize by following 3 years of internal medicine then a residency in hematology for 2 years.

Prepare the visit

To find a hematologist:

• in Quebec, you can consult the website of “Québec Médecin” â ?? ´;
• in France, via the website of the National Council of the Order of Physiciansâ ?? µ.

When the consultation is prescribed by an attending physician, it is covered by the Health Insurance (France) or the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec.