leukocytosis

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leukocytosis

A doctor points to a chart showing leukocytosis during a patient consultation.

Definition

Noun: 1. A medical condition: An abnormal increase in the total number of white blood cells (leukocytes) circulating in the bloodstream. This condition is typically a physiological response to an underlying issue, such as an infection, inflammation, or other medical disorders.

Usage

Leukocytosis is a clinical sign, not a disease itself. It is diagnosed through a laboratory test called a complete blood count (CBC). The term is used primarily in medical contexts by healthcare professionals when discussing laboratory results, patient symptoms, and potential diagnoses. - It is often discussed in relation to its cause (e.g., "leukocytosis due to pneumonia"). - The specific type of white blood cell that is increased can provide clues about the cause (e.g., neutrophilia, lymphocytosis).

Examples
  • The patient's fever and leukocytosis suggested a bacterial infection.
  • A routine blood test revealed significant leukocytosis, prompting further investigation.
  • Leukocytosis is a common finding in patients with appendicitis.
Advanced Usage
  • "Leukocytosis" vs. "Leukemia": While leukemia (a cancer of white blood cells) often causes leukocytosis, the term "leukocytosis" itself is broader and includes non-cancerous causes like severe stress or tissue injury. Therefore, leukocytosis does not automatically mean cancer.
  • "Leuko-" prefix: The prefix "leuko-" comes from the Greek word "leukos," meaning "white," and is used in many medical terms related to white blood cells (e.g., leukocyte, leukemia).
Variants and Related Words
  • Leukocyte (noun): A white blood cell; the type of cell whose count is elevated in leukocytosis.
  • Leukopenia (noun): The opposite condition; an abnormally low number of white blood cells in the blood.
Synonyms
  • Elevated white blood cell count
  • High WBC count
Antonyms
  • Leukopenia
  • Low white blood cell count
leukocytosis

A doctor points to a chart showing leukocytosis during a patient consultation.

Noun
  1. an abnormal increase in the number of white blood cells in the blood as a result of infection (as in leukemia)

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