Classical Hematology

ASH has adopted the term "classical hematology” to refer to the broad range of blood diseases that are not cancers, previously classified as “non-malignant” or “benign.” Use of the term “benign” hematology has done practitioners and patients a disservice by minimizing the seriousness of often life-threatening blood conditions, whereas “non-malignant” defines the field by what it is not. The term “classical hematology” is intended to celebrate the field’s rich, centuries-long history of scientific advances that are so central to every aspect of medicine. 

Classical hematology encompasses a large number of diseases and conditions including thrombotic and hemorrhagic disorders; hemoglobin disorders such as sickle cell disease; anemia, thrombocytopenia; disorders of iron metabolism; obstetric hematologic conditions; rare genetic hematologic diseases; and more. Discoveries in classical hematology have significantly advanced the field to better the lives of those living with non-cancerous blood disorders.

How ASH is Building Classical Hematology

Dr. Alfred Lee and Dr. Chancellor Donald discuss classical hematology presentations delivered at the 2022 ASH Practice Partnership Lunch during the 64th ASH Annual meeting.

ASH Hematology-Focused Fellowship Training Program (HFFTP)

• The ASH Hematology-Focused Fellowship Training Program (HFFTP) is an exclusive pathway that offers physicians the opportunity to pair comprehensive classical hematology training with career-enhancing education. Funded entirely by ASH, 10 new hematology-focused fellowship tracks have been created within existing hematology-oncology programs at nine rigorously selected institutions accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) across the United States. HFFTP aims to strengthen the next generation of hematologists, with the goal of producing 50 new academic hematologists by 2030. Learn more about ASH HFFTP here.

Recruiting the Next Generation of Hematologists

• ASH provides free access to valuable resources for prospective hematologists including training, funding and award opportunities, mentor matching, and more. Explore our recruitment page for more information about these resources and career options in the field of Hematology.

Classical Hematology Articles

"Benign, Non-malignant, or Classical?"

• Dr. Jane N. Winter tackles the obstacles of hematology surrounding benign, non-malignant, and classical practices. To help prevent further professional shortages, Dr. Winter discusses the ongoing efforts to fill these areas of study for future hematologists. .

"ASH Clinical News Classical Hematology: A Specialty in Decline?"

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"The case for classical haematology: the impact of a name and the future of a field?"

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