Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

granulocyte-stimulating colony factors so that the production of WBC can be enhanced. Leukocytosis Leukocytosis is a disorder of the white blood cells in which the total count of white blood cells increases. WBCs are made from different components and an increase in the WBC can be attributed to the increase in any of these components. Based on the component of WBC, leukocytosis can be classified as neutrophilia (count of neutrophil increases), lymphocytosis (count of lymphocyte rises), monocytosis (count of monocyte cells increases), eosinophilia (count of eosinophilic granulocyte increases), and finally basophilia (count of basophilic granulocyte increases). The risk factors for leukocytosis include infections, inflammation, damage of tissue, and reactions with the immune system, like in case of allergies or asthma. Other risks include problems in bone marrow (leukemia), disorders of mental health, and stress. Moreover, the symptoms of this disorder include temperature, bleeding, bruising, weakness, dizziness, sweat, fainting, confusion, breathlessness, unexplained weight loss, and pain or tingling in the arms, legs, or abdomen. Leukemia Acute Lymphocytic Also known as acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), acute lymphocytic is cancer of the lymphocytes in bone marrow. These lymphocytes are present in the inner part of the bones. In this disorder, the cancer cells invade the production of blood and migrate to infect other parts of the body like lymph nodes, liver, spleen, testicles, and the central nervous system. ALL progresses quickly and becomes fatal without an effective treatment. Treatment of ALL includes chemotherapy, transplantation of stem cells, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. The causes of ALL are the over-exposure to radiations and industrial chemicals, like pesticides and benzene. Symptoms of ALL include anemia, frequent episodes of infection, pain in bones, unexplained and frequent bleeding, swelling in lymph nodes, discomfort in abdomen, and pain in the chest. Chronic Lymphocytic Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of specialized white blood cell disorder affecting the B- lymphocytes. It is a slow growing leukemia in which the lymphocytes undergo malignancy and become cancerous in nature. The cells grow in an uncontrolled fashion and reside in different parts of the body including bone marrow, the bloodstream, lymph nodes, spleen, and liver. As the cancerous cells grow, the functioning of the production of WBC, RBC, and blood platelets gets impaired. Since the disorder grows slowly, generally no symptoms are visible at the early stage of the disease. However, symptoms include accumulation of lymphocytes causing swollen lymph nodes in the neck, under arms, or in the groin; enlarged spleen causing discomfort under the left ribs; impaired functioning of WBC, causing repeated and frequent episodes of infections; low platelet count leading to augmented bleeding and bruising; excessive sweat, generally at night; and weight loss. Treatment of CLL includes chemotherapy, monoclonal antibodies, and stem cell transplantation.

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