Blood cells disorders, diagnosis and classification
                     Blood cells disorders: 
diagnosis and classification
Introduction
A blood disorder is any condition that 
impacts one or more parts of the blood, 
usually interfering with its ability to work 
correctly.
Many blood disorders take their name from 
the component of the blood they impact.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Categories of 
blood disorders
Categories of blood disorders that increase 
blood components are:
 erythrocytosis – if the disorder involves red 
blood cells
 leukocytosis – if the disorder affects white 
blood cells
 thrombocythemia or thrombocytosis – if 
the disorder concerns platelets
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Types of white 
blood cell disorders
The major types are:
 neutrophils, which destroy bacteria and 
viruses
 lymphocytes, which kill viruses and 
regulate the immune system
 monocytes or macrophages, which eat 
dead or deactivated bacteria, viruses, and 
fungus
 basophils and eosinophils, which help the 
body respond to allergic reactions and help 
destroy parasites
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a type of cancer that occurs 
when lymphocytes change and multiply 
rapidly. There are two major types of 
lymphoma: Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin 
lymphoma.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Leukemias
Leukemias involve the build-up of 
abnormal white blood cells in the bone 
marrow, which interferes with its ability to 
produce red blood cells and platelets. 
Leukemias can be acute and develop 
quickly, or chronic and develop more 
gradually over time.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Myelomas
Myelomas involve the build-up of plasma 
cells in the bone marrow, which interferes 
with the development and function of 
other blood cells. 
The most common type of myeloma is 
multiple myeloma, where abnormal 
plasma cells build-up or form a tumor in 
numerous locations in the bone or marrow.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Treatment and 
diagnosis
A doctor usually diagnoses leukemias, 
lymphomas, and myelomas using:
 a medical exam and a complete medical 
history
 blood tests
 urine tests
 bone marrow aspiration and biopsy
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Types of red blood 
cell disorders
The most common types are:
 iron-deficiency anemias — when the body 
does not have enough iron or cannot 
properly absorb it
 pregnancy anemia — when there is more 
of a demand for red blood cells than 
normal
 vitamin-deficiency anemias — usually 
caused by low dietary intake of vitamin B-
12 and folate
 non-inherited hemolytic anemias — where 
red blood cells are broken and destroyed in 
the bloodstream abnormally, either by 
injury, illness, or medications
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Treatment and 
diagnosis
Treatment depends on the cause but 
commonly includes:
 blood transfusions
 dietary changes
 surgery
 medications that stimulate the production 
of bone marrow and new red blood cells
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
Types of platelet 
cell disorders
 Hemophilia: Hemophilia is a genetic 
condition caused by a lack of or 
defective clotting factors in a person’s 
blood. 
 Von Willebrand disease: This disease 
occurs when the body lacks the von 
Willebrand factor (VWF), a substance 
that allows platelets to stick together 
and form clots. 
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com