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Leukocytosis is a condition in which the white cell count is above the normal range in the blood. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] It is frequently a sign of an inflammatory response , [ 3 ] most commonly the result of infection , but may also occur following certain parasitic infections or bone tumors as well as leukemia .
Leukostasis (also called symptomatic hyperleukocytosis) is a medical emergency most commonly seen in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.It is characterized by an extremely elevated blast cell count and symptoms of decreased tissue perfusion.
Conventionally, a leukocytosis exceeding 50,000 WBC/mm 3 with a significant increase in early neutrophil precursors is referred to as a leukemoid reaction. [2] The peripheral blood smear may show myelocytes, metamyelocytes, promyelocytes, and rarely myeloblasts; however, there is a mixture of early mature neutrophil precursors, in contrast to the immature forms typically seen in acute leukemia.
Other than this there are four major mainstays of treatment in CML: treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, myelosuppressive or leukapheresis therapy (to counteract the leukocytosis during early treatment), splenectomy and interferon alfa-2b treatment. [19]
Treatment may involve some combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and bone marrow transplant, with supportive and palliative care provided as needed. [3] [6] Certain types of leukemia may be managed with watchful waiting. [3] The success of treatment depends on the type of leukemia and the age of the person.
Treatment usually also includes intrathecal chemotherapy since systemic chemotherapy can have limited penetration into the central nervous system and the central nervous system is a common site for relapse of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. [12] [13] Treatment can also include radiation therapy if spread to the brain has occurred. [2]
An increase in the number of white blood cells in circulation is called leukocytosis. [18] This increase is most commonly caused by inflammation . [ 18 ] There are four major causes: increase of production in bone marrow, increased release from storage in bone marrow, decreased attachment to veins and arteries, decreased uptake by tissues. [ 18 ]
The total cost for the first year of treatment with belimumab is $28,000. [38] Belimumab is much more expensive than other drugs used to treat lupus, including prednisone ($140 per year), hydroxychloroquine ($132), oral methotrexate ($432), azathioprine ($468), and mycophenolate mofetil ($1,224).