[Hematological problems in geriatrics].

By way of introduction, the physiologic alterations of blood cells in old age are described. Besides the well known anemias in younger persons, protein deficiency may be an additional cause of anemia in the elderly. Acquired sideroblastic anemia of varying etiology is more often seen in the elderly than in younger people. In pernicious anemia the daner of gastric cancer has been overestimated. Aggressive treatment of acute leukemias is not indicated in patients over 60. The special form of smouldering leukemia is mentioned. The syndrome of anemia, thrombocytopenia and enzymatic dysfunction of granulocytes may, it is suggested, be a symptom of preleukemia. Anemia with accelerated sedimentation rate responsive to steriods is helpful in diagnosing polymyalgia rheumatica in the oligosymptomatic form.