Hematology Program
- Specialized expertise in diagnosing, managing, and treating blood conditions such as anemia, hemophilia, and clotting disorders. Go to Conditions Treated
- Advanced treatment options, including blood and bone marrow transplants to treat sickle cell disease and severe aplastic anemia. Go to Treatments
- Team-based approach from a dedicated team of hematology specialists working together to coordinate your care. Go to Your Care Team
- Clinical trials that offer eligible patients access to the latest advances in the diagnosis and treatment of blood disorders. Go to Clinical Trials
- Comprehensive support services to answer your questions, address your concerns, and help you and your family focus on health and healing. Go to Supportive Services
- Ease of access to complete diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care in Palo Alto and San Jose and through virtual appointments. Go to Connecting to Care
At Stanford Health Care, our hematology team diagnoses and treats the full spectrum of hematologic (blood) disorders, including rare and complex conditions. We have experience treating disorders that affect the bone marrow (the spongy area in the center of bones where blood cells develop) and all parts of the blood, including:
- Plasma, the liquid part of your blood that carries blood cells
- Platelets, cells that help your blood clot
- Red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body
- White blood cells, which help your body fight infections
At the Stanford Health Care Hematology Program, we treat noncancerous blood disorders. If you are looking for information about blood cancers, please visit the Stanford Health Care Hematologic Cancer Program.
Noncancerous (benign) blood disorders affect how your blood works. Because your blood plays a crucial role in so many aspects of your well-being, a blood disorder can cause a wide range of symptoms and health problems. Depending on the condition, blood disorder symptoms may include fatigue, excessive bleeding, bruising, or pain. Left untreated, many of these disorders increase your risk of other health problems, such as a stroke or heart attack.
Some blood disorders result from a genetic mutation (change) and are inherited (passed down through families). Others are caused by infection, radiation from cancer treatments, or another health condition, such as an autoimmune disease. Our team works together to treat:
- Anemia: People with anemia do not have enough healthy red blood cells, which deliver oxygen to tissues throughout your body. There are several types of anemia, including aplastic anemia, which occurs when your bone marrow does not make enough blood cells. The most common type, iron-deficiency anemia, causes low levels of iron in your body. It can affect people of all ages and genders, and it is common during pregnancy.
- Hemophilia: This condition can cause uncontrolled or excessive bleeding. It occurs when your blood does not have enough of a certain protein (clotting factor) that helps your blood clot.
- Platelet disorders: Some platelet disorders, such as essential thrombocythemia (ET), cause your bone marrow to make too many platelets. This increases the risk of developing blood clots, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. People with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) do not have enough platelets, so they may bruise or bleed easily.
- Red blood cell disorders: These disorders affect how your body produces red blood cells or hemoglobin (the protein inside red blood cells). Hemoglobinopathies are inherited disorders of red blood cells where there is abnormal production of the hemoglobin molecule. These include thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD). Sickle cell disease is a disorder that causes red blood cells to be shaped like a crescent moon or a sickle. SCD can increase the risk of blood clots because the sickle-shaped cells stick together and can block blood flow in blood vessels.
- Thrombotic (blood clotting) disorders: These include antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), an autoimmune disease, as well as a variety of inherited clotting disorders that prediose people to blood clots. These conditions can cause blood clots to develop in a blood vessel and block the flow of blood. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when clots develop deep inside a vein, usually in your leg.
Our experienced specialists offer the highest level of care for people with blood disorders. We’re by your side throughout diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. We provide individualized treatments based on the latest research.
INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS
- As leaders in hematology, we are actively researching blood clotting and thrombosis in people with COVID-19 and long COVID-19. Our team is developing treatment protocols to improve patient outcomes.
- The Stanford Health Care Blood and Marrow Transplant Program is the largest in Northern California, performing more than 300 transplants each year. We lead the nation in transplants to treat sickle cell disease and other blood disorders, including blood cancers.
Our specialists have experience diagnosing blood disorders using the latest technology. To diagnose and evaluate hematologic conditions, we use:
- Blood tests: Your care team may recommend several blood tests to evaluate your blood. These commonly include a complete blood count (CBC), which counts the number of blood cells, and a blood smear, which looks at the size and shape of your cells under the microscope.
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: This test checks for blood diseases and disorders by evaluating your bone marrow. Your doctor guides a needle into your hip bone or breastbone and removes a small amount of fluid from your bone marrow. They send the sample to a lab for testing.
- Genetic testing: Some blood disorders are inherited. If you are diagnosed with a blood condition, your doctor may recommend genetic testing. These tests can show whether you have a genetic mutation that might increase your family members’ risk of developing the condition.
Noncancerous Blood Disorders Treatments
Treatments for blood disorders vary based on the condition, type of disorder, symptoms, and your overall health. You receive a personalized treatment plan from our skilled team of specialists. We work with you to determine the most appropriate plan.
Your treatment may include medications to improve your symptoms, help you feel better, and reduce complications. There are many different medications that address the varied problems associated with blood disorders. These drugs can:
- Decrease or increase the number of platelets in your blood
- Help blood clot or prevent blood from clotting
- Increase your iron levels
- Prevent red blood cells from forming a sickle shape or sticking together
- Protect bone marrow cells or slow the destruction of blood cells
- Stimulate blood cell production
- Thin your blood
People with sickle cell disease may also need medications to reduce the risk of infection or alleviate pain during a sickle cell crisis. A sickle cell crisis, or acute pain crisis, occurs when sickle-shaped cells block blood flow. These episodes can come on suddenly and cause severe pain in any part of your body. If you have sickle cell disease, your hematology specialist will recommend the most appropriate medication for you.
If you have severe anemia, sickle cell disease, or hemophilia, your doctor may recommend red blood cell transfusion therapy. During a blood transfusion, your doctor gives you the healthy blood components that you need. Depending on the condition, your doctor may only replace the specific type of blood cells you need, such as red blood cells or platelets.
To treat some types of noncancerous blood disorders, you may need a blood and bone marrow transplant. Before the transplant, doctors use chemotherapy to destroy all bone marrow cells. You then receive replacement blood or bone marrow cells from a donor. This is called an allogeneic transplant.
If you need a bone marrow transplant, you can trust us to deliver the highest-quality care using the latest advances in transplant medicine. Stanford Health Care has the largest blood and bone marrow transplant program in Northern California. As leaders in transplant research, we receive funding from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
As you and your family proceed through diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care, your challenges and needs will change. That’s why we offer services that go beyond your physical health, to provide emotional and spiritual care and other supportive services to help you feel your best.
Innovation Through Clinical Research
Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.
Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.
Our skilled team members work together to coordinate your care. We are here for you at every step, ensuring that you receive a precise diagnosis, personalized treatment, and comprehensive follow-up support.
Your Doctors and Providers
Hematologists
Hematologists specialize in diagnosing, managing, and treating disorders of the blood and bone marrow. Hematology doctors have expertise in the latest treatments, including medications and blood and bone marrow transplants.
View All {0} HematologistsAdvanced Practice Providers
Our skilled nurse practitioners diagnose and treat all types of blood disorders. They see patients independently and occasionally alongside your doctor. Advanced practice providers (APPs) can give you a thorough exam, write prescriptions, and help prevent or treat any issues. Our APPs meet weekly to discuss patient needs.
View All {0} Advanced Practice Provider DoctorsExtended Care Team
Genetic Counselors
Some blood disorders are inherited. Our genetic counselors guide you and your family through genetic testing, review your test results, and help you make decisions about next steps.
Nurses and Nurse Coordinators (RNs)
Nurses and nurse coordinators are registered nurses who coordinate your care with your hematology team. They guide you from your first contact through follow-up care and help you find counseling, financial, and other support services.
Care Coordinators
Care coordinators provide you with information and assistance before and during your appointment.
- Medical Assistant: Medical assistants work with our team to help provide care. They may prepare you for an examination, assist your doctor, or take your vital signs before your appointment.
- Patient Care Coordinator: Our patient care coordinators help you with scheduling appointments and accessing your lab results. They are your first line of contact before you see your provider and will guide you during your diagnosis and treatment.
- Patient Access Representative: Patient access representatives can answer your questions about health insurance coverage, help you apply for health insurance, and refer you to our financial counselors.
Support Services
Your cancer care includes services that focus on easing the effects that cancer and its treatment may have on you. Our support programs are available to you throughout your diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. Contact our Cancer Care Services for your personal support plan.
We make access to care as simple as possible. We anticipate what you need and provide support when you need it. Our network of locations puts our services within your reach. User-friendly digital health tools help you stay connected with your care team. We accept most insurance plans and offer discounted transportation, short-stay options, and international travel and translation services. We help make sense of the details, so you can make decisions that are right for you.
For Referring Physicians
PHYSICIAN HELPLINE
Fax: 650-320-9443
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Stanford Health Care provides comprehensive services to refer and track patients, as well as the latest information and news for physicians and office staff. For help with all referral needs and questions, visit Referral Information.
You may also submit a web referral or complete a referral form and fax it to 650-320-9443 or email the Referral Center at ReferralCenter@stanfordhealthcare.org.
- Send referrals online
- Place radiology and lab orders
- View referral status
- Access medical records
