Diseases of White Blood Cells

Diseases of White Blood Cells

• Leukocytes are cells that trigger inflammation and fight infections.
• Normal white blood cell (WBC) levels are 5,000 to 10,000 cells/mL³ of blood.
• The five major types of white blood cells are neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils, monocytes, and basophils.
• Blood transports leukocytes to infection sites.
• Leukocytes leak through capillary walls to reach sites of injury or invasion.
• Neutrophils squeeze through endothelial cells to reach infected tissues.
• Phagocytosis is the process where neutrophils engulf and destroy bacteria using toxic products.
• Low (leukocytopenia) or high (leukocytosis) WBC counts indicate a disorder.
• Some disorders affect only one type of white blood cell.

Leukocytopenia

• A decrease in WBCs to fewer than 4,000 cells/microliter of blood.
• This makes individuals more vulnerable to infections.
• Common signs and symptoms include malaise, chills, and fever.

Leukocytosis

• Increased WBC level above 11,000 cells/microliter of blood.
• A normal response to fighting infections.
• Can be caused by drugs (like steroids) or malignancy.

Lymphomas

• Cancers originating from lymphoid cells.
• The most common blood cancers.
• Two main types: Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma

• Can start in any lymph node, frequently in the upper body (neck, chest, or upper arms).
• Affected lymph nodes swell and compress surrounding tissue.
• Characterized by Reed-Sternberg (Hodgkin) cells.
• Diagnosis often involves biopsy to identify Reed-Sternberg cells.
• Treatment usually combines chemotherapy and radiation.
• Stages (I-IV) determine the extent of the disease.

Clinical Manifestations of Hodgkin's Lymphoma

• Swollen, painless lymph nodes.
• Weight loss.
• Night sweats.
• Splenomegaly.

Diagnostic Procedures for Hodgkin's Lymphoma

• Primarily focus on biopsy of affected lymph nodes.
• Biopsy samples identify Reed-Sternberg cells.
• Staging systems assess disease severity and progression.
• Treatment plan involves chemotherapy and radiation.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

• Can begin at any age and any lymph node.
• Various types exist (aggressive or indolent).
• Arises from B cells (80% of cases) or T cells.
• Differs from Hodgkin's in spread and diagnosis patterns.
• Involves multiple, scattered nodes throughout the body; often spreads (metastasizes).
• Does not involve Reed-Sternberg cells.
• Usually more challenging to treat than Hodgkin's.

Leukemia

• Cancers of leukocytes.
• Bone marrow produces excessive abnormal leukocytes, displacing normal bone marrow cells.
• Second most common blood cancer.
• Most common cancer in children.

Manifestations of Leukemia

• Primarily due to replacement of normal blood-forming cells by leukemic cells.
• Reducing red blood cells, platelets, and normal white blood cells.
• Treatment primarily involves chemotherapy.

Clinical Manifestations of Leukemia

• Leukopenia (frequent infections).
• Anemia (pallor, fatigue, shortness of breath)
• Thrombocytopenia (bleeding).
• Bone pain, weight loss, anorexia.
• Hepatomegaly (liver enlargement), splenomegaly (spleen enlargement).

Common Types of Leukemia

• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL): Primarily affects children, good prognosis.
• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML): Primarily affects adults, somewhat worse prognosis than ALL.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL): Primarily affects adults, responds poorly to therapy but many live long lives after diagnosis.
• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML): Primarily affects adults, prognosis improves with bone marrow transplant.

Multiple Myeloma

• Cancer of plasma cells, most often affecting older adults.
• Characterized by excessive abnormal plasma cells in the bone marrow.
• Bone tumors develop, and destruction results in pathologic fractures.
• Tumor cells can spread through lymph nodes and infiltrate organs.
• Not considered curable but chemotherapy can improve remission rates.

Explore the various diseases affecting white blood cells, including leukocytopenia and leukocytosis. This quiz covers the definitions, symptoms, and implications of abnormal white blood cell counts. Test your knowledge of leukocyte functions and disorders in the immune system.