Book excerpt: The developed world has an increasingly aging population, with approximately 10% of the population aged over 65 years. As the incidence and prevalence of blood disorders increases with age, these conditions are a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Blood Disorders in the Elderly will provide hematologists, geriatricians and all clinicians involved in the care of patients with blood disorders with clear clinical advice on the diagnosis and management of these conditions. The introductory section reviews epidemiology of aging and anemia and provides a comprehensive approach to the management of cancer in the aging patient. This is followed by a full discussion of hemopoiesis and changes it undergoes in aging. The remaining sections cover the diagnosis and management of all major disorders: anemia, malignancy, coagulation and platelet disorders and hemophilia. A detailed chapter on antithrombotic therapies is also included.