ABSTRACT
HEMATOLOGY comes from the Greek word haimatos, meaning blood. There is no medical disorder that does not impact on the hematopoetic system, thus allowing varying amounts of information to be derived from a complete blood count. Hematologic disorders can be primary, as seen with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia, or leukemia. They can also play a major role as a secondary disorder, which can reach life-threatening proportions, as seen in the hemostasis disorder known as disseminated intravascular coagulation.
