granulocytopenia
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A medical condition involving a severe decrease in granulocytes: Granulocytopenia is an acute blood disorder characterized by an abnormally low number of granulocytes, a type of white blood cell, in the bloodstream. This condition often results from radiation exposure or certain drug therapies and increases the risk of infection.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The patient developed granulocytopenia following the chemotherapy treatment.
- Monitoring for granulocytopenia is crucial during this course of medication.
- A diagnosis of granulocytopenia requires immediate medical attention to prevent serious infections.
Advanced Usage
- Clinical Context: The term is primarily used in medical, hematological, and oncological contexts to describe a specific laboratory finding and clinical risk factor.
- The drug's side effect profile includes a risk of inducing granulocytopenia.
Variants and Related Words
- Agranulocytosis (noun): A more severe form of granulocytopenia, often implying a near-total absence of granulocytes.
- Neutropenia (noun): A specific and common type of granulocytopenia referring to a decrease in neutrophils, the most prevalent granulocyte.
- Granulocytopenic (adjective): Relating to or affected by granulocytopenia.
- The granulocytopenic patient was placed in protective isolation.
Synonyms
- Agranulocytosis (in severe cases)
- Neutropenia (when specifically referring to neutrophils)
Notes on Meaning
- This term has a single, specific medical meaning. It is not used in general or figurative language. The condition is significant because granulocytes are essential for fighting bacterial and fungal infections.
Noun
- an acute blood disorder (often caused by radiation or drug therapy) characterized by severe reduction in granulocytes