Curriculum

“Explore a comprehensive list of topics in classical hematology, ideal for studying, reviewing, and enhancing your knowledge“

Classical hematology (CH) is a field of medicine dedicated to understanding, diagnosing, and treating blood-related disorders that are not considered cancerous. The term “classical hematology” has become more broadly used after the American Society of Hematology (ASH) recommended the use of this term instead of ASH has adopted the term “classical hematology” in place of “non-malignant” or “benign” to refer to a broad range of non-cancerous blood disorders. The reasoning behind the modification of the term was related to the possibility that the words “benign” and “non-malignant” could potentially minimize the challenging medical conditions that patients with non-cancerous blood disorders suffer.

Our website aims to guide clinicians and other healthcare providers in becoming more familiar with the CH field. Therefore, our “Curriculum” was developed to describe in an organized manner the topics and areas included within the CH umbrella. Furthermore, we will develop educational content by clicking the links associated with each subject as they become available while our website is under construction. We hope to make you even more invested in classical hematology and learn more about this wonderful area of medicine.

Adult Classical Hematology Table of Contents:

Introduction to Classical Hematology

• Introduction to Classical Hematology
• Educational Resources for Hematology/Oncology Fellows

Clinical Evaluation in Hematology

• History and Physical Exam
• Laboratory Assessment in Hematology
• Evaluation of the Peripheral Blood Smear
• Bone Marrow Biopsy in Clinical Practice
• Advanced Hematology Diagnostic Testing

Red Blood Cell Disorders

• Overview of Red Blood Cells
• Causes and Classification of Anemias

Hypoproliferative Anemias:

a) Microcytic Anemias:

• Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA)
• Hemoglobin Disorders:
  • Thalassemias
  • Overview of Thalassemias
  • Management of Thalassemias
  • Hemoglobinopathies:
  • Disorders of Hemoglobin S – Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)
  • Management of Sickle Cell Disease/Sickle Cell Anemia (SCD/SCA)
  • Disorders of Hemoglobin C
  • Less Common Hemoglobin Variants (D, E, O, H)
  • Methemoglobinemia

b) Normocytic Anemias:

• Anemia of Inflammation – AoI (Formerly Anemia of Chronic Disease)

c) Macrocytic and Megaloblastic Anemias

• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Folate Deficiency
• Anemia in Chronic Liver Disease

Hyperproliferative Anemias

• Anemias Secondary to Blood Loss
• Hemolytic Anemias

White Blood Cell Disorders

• Disorders of neutrophils: neutropenia and neutrophilia, causes and differential diagnosis
• Disorders of eosinophils: primary hematologic disorders vs secondary eosinophilias
• Disorders of basophils
• Disorders of monocytes
• Disorders of lymphocytes: lymphocytosis and lymphopenia, causes, differential diagnosis, and workup

Platelet Disorders

• Thrombocytosis: primary vs. secondary causes
• Thrombocytopenia: immune vs. non-immune mechanisms
• Inherited platelet function disorders (e.g., Bernard-Soulier syndrome, Glanzmann thrombasthenia)
• Acquired platelet disorders (e.g., drug-induced thrombocytopenia, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura)
• Thrombocytopenic purpuras: differential diagnosis and management
• Platelet transfusion therapy: indications and complications

Bleeding Disorders

• Introduction to hemostasis and the clotting cascade
• Inherited bleeding disorders: hemophilia A and B, von Willebrand disease
• Introduction to platelet activation and aggregation
• Inherited Platelet Disorders
• Fibrinolysis
• Acquired coagulopathies: liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

Clotting or Thrombotic Disorders

• Venous thromboembolism
• Pulmonary embolism
• Splenic infarction
• Inherited thrombophilias
• Acquired thrombophilias

Transfusion Medicine

• Blood banking and donor screening
• Blood component preparation and storage
• Compatibility testing: ABO and Rh systems
• Transfusion reactions: febrile non-hemolytic, allergic, hemolytic
• Alternatives to allogeneic transfusion: autologous blood donation, blood substitutes
• Special considerations in transfusion therapy: neonates, patients with hemoglobinopathies

Laboratory Techniques in Hematology

• Complete blood count (CBC) parameters and interpretation
• Peripheral blood smear examination: morphology and differential diagnosis
• Bone marrow examination: indications, techniques, and interpretation
• Flow cytometry in hematologic diagnosis
• Molecular and cytogenetic techniques in hematology
• Coagulation assays: PT, PTT, thrombin time, mixing studies

Hematologic Emergencies

• Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC): pathophysiology and triggers
• Thrombotic microangiopathies: thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)
• Acute blood loss and massive transfusion
• Sickle cell crisis: management and complications
• Chemotherapy-induced hematologic emergencies

Hematologic Disorders in Special Populations

• Hematologic changes in pregnancy: physiological vs. pathological
• Geriatric hematology: age-related changes in hematopoiesis and coagulation
• Hematologic complications of systemic diseases: autoimmune disorders, chronic kidney disease
• Hematologic issues in transplant recipients: graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), engraftment syndrome

Emerging Trends and Research in Hematology

• Genomic medicine in hematology
• Targeted therapies and personalized medicine
• Immunotherapy in hematologic malignancies
• Gene therapy for inherited hematologic disorders
• Regenerative medicine approaches in hematology
• Biomarkers and novel diagnostic tools

Medical Education in Hematology

• Use of technology in medical education
• Artificial inteligence in hematology education
• VR/AR use in education
• Clinical uses of technology in education and patient care