White Blood Cell

Diseases



BLOOD:
" INTRODUCTION
" ROLE OF BLOOD
" COMPOSITION OF BLOOD
" Plasma
" Red Blood Cells
" Blood Type
" White Blood Cells
" Platelets and Clotting
" PRODUCTION AND ELIMINATION OF BLOOD CELLS
" Red Blood Cell Diseases
" White Blood Cell Diseases
" Coagulation Diseases
" BLOOD BANKS
" Blood Transfusion
" Blood Count
" Blood donation and registry
" Blood gas analysis
" Blood sugar tests
" Blood typing and crossmatching
" Blood urea nitrogen test
" Blood-viscosity reducing drugs
Circulatory System:
" INTRODUCTION
" COMPONENTS OF THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
" OPERATION AND FUNCTION
" Systemic Circulation
" Pulmonary Circulation
" Additional Functions
" Blood Pressure
" DISEASES AND DISORDERS
" HEART
Vasculature System:
" Arteries
" Veins
" Capillaries
" Vasculature of the Arm
" Vasculature of the Head
" Vasculature of the Leg
" Vasculature of the Torso

White Blood Cell Diseases

Some white blood cell diseases are characterized by an insufficient number of white blood cells. This can be caused by the failure of the bone marrow to produce adequate numbers of normal white blood cells, or by diseases that lead to the destruction of crucial white blood cells. These conditions result in severe immune deficiencies characterized by recurrent infections.

Leukemia, or cancer of the blood, occurs when blood cell precursors become abnormal and divide in an uncontrolled manner. Pathologists can distinguish various types of leukemia by the appearance of the cancerous cells underneath a microscope. Hairy cell leukemia, a rare form of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, is characterized by cells with minute, hairlike projections on their surface.

Any disease in which excess white blood cells are produced, particularly immature white blood cells, is called leukemia, or blood cancer. Many cases of leukemia are linked to gene abnormalities, resulting in unchecked growth of immature white blood cells. If this growth is not halted, it often results in the death of the patient. These genetic abnormalities are not inherited in the vast majority of cases, but rather occur after birth. Although some causes of these abnormalities are known, for example exposure to high doses of radiation or the chemical benzene, most remain poorly understood.

Treatment for leukemia typically involves the use of chemotherapy, in which strong drugs are used to target and kill leukemic cells, permitting normal cells to regenerate. In some cases, bone marrow transplants are effective. Much progress has been made over the last 30 years in the treatment of this disease. In one type of childhood leukemia, more than 80 percent of patients can now be cured of their disease.

World Health Organization

Blood Clot in the Legs

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) refers to a blood clot embedded in one of the major deep veins of the lower legs, thighs, or pelvis. A clot blocks blood circulation through these veins, which carry blood from the lower body back to the heart. The blockage can cause pain, swelling, or warmth in the affected leg.

Next: Blood Clot in the Legs

Blood Culture

A blood culture is done when a person has symptoms of a blood infection, also called bacteremia. Blood is drawn from the person one or more times and is tested in a laboratory to find and identify any microorganism present and growing in the blood. If a microorganism is found,...

Next: Blood Culture