Blood Disorders

Your blood is living tissue made up of liquid and solids. The liquid part, called plasma, is made of water, salts and protein. Over half of your blood is plasma. The solid part of your blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

Red blood cells deliver oxygen from your lungs to your tissues and organs. White blood cells fight infection and are part of your body's defense system. Platelets help blood to clot. Bone marrow, the spongy material inside your bones, makes new blood cells. Blood cells constantly die and your body makes new ones. Red blood cells live about 120 days, platelets 6 days and white cells less than one day.

There are many types of blood disorders, including: bleeding disorders, platelet disorders, bone marrow disorders, hemophilia and anemia. There are also several cancers of the blood including lymphomas, leukemia and myeloma.

Cancer Care Centers of South Texas have been recognized nationally for expertise in the diagnosis, treatment and research of myelodysplasia and is designated as a "Center of Excellence" by the Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation.   The Cancer Care Centers of South Texas MDS Center of Excellence medical director is Roger M. Lyons, MD, FACP.

You may read more about bleeding and clotting disorders and management and treatments available through the Anticoagulation Clinic of North America (ACNA) section of this website.  ACNA clinics are located at 4411 Medical Drive, Suite 100 in San Antonio, TX, 124 E. Bandera Rd., in Boerne, TX, 1448 E. Common St. in New Braunfels, TX and 1025 Garner Field Rd. in Uvalde, TX.  Please call 210-595-5300 for more information about the Anticoagulation Clinic of North America.