HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Are The Cause And Symptom Of Leukemia?

default
Posted on Sat, 26 Jul 2014
Question: a 136000 platelet count and a 44.5 lymphocytes% WBC differential and billirubin 1.4 everything else is normal generally health 53 year old male. Is this leukemia?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
not leukemia

Detailed Answer:
I don't understand why you got the doubt of leukemia based on these parameters. Diagnosis of leukemia is not made on these parameters alone. Leukemias are two types, acute and chronic. Acute leukemia has abnormal cells on peripheral smear and diagnosis is confirmed by bone marrow examination or flow cytometry.
Chronic leukemias are two types CML and CLL. Both these types are asymptomatic for a very long time. CML usually can be made out on peripheral smear. WBC is very high in lakhs, differential count is abnormal with myelocyte peak and splenomegaly is usually present.

Coming to CLL. It is a chronic disease. WBC is high with lymphocyte peak. I understand you must be doubting this condition. But just lymphocytosis doesn't mean CLL. It needs to be confirmed by bone marrow and flow cytometry. Even if CLL is confirmed all patients don't require treatment. Only symptomatic patients and patients with rapid lymphocyte doubling need treatment. Others are just put on follow up. They may remain asymptomatic for years together and some don't require treatment in their lifetime.

Hope this is reassuring.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (11 hours later)
Dear Dr Konatam
Thank you for your response. I understand that further tests are necessary to say for sure that this is leukemia. But based on your experience would you say this is some kind of pre leukemia state or possibly something else? Would you recommend doing the bone marrow test right away or should I wait 3-6 months and first do another blood work up. And if you do not suspect it to be necessarily leukemia then what else can it be with the platelet lymphocites and billirubin being abnormal. Is there any other condition that would cause the abnormal results? And is this very serious or should I wait a bit and retest and if you could recommend something I should take or do that could improve these results?
Once again thank you for your input into my situation.
Best regards XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (53 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
not preleukemia

Detailed Answer:
there is nothing like preleukemia. Leukemia doesn't warn. Tt just attacks. Please don't even think of such disorders.
You can repeat your labs after a month. we don't treat each blood parameter but treat the patient looking at all the factors.
If you are asymptomatic please stop worrying. The values are are not grossly abnormal and they might normalize in their own with time
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (9 hours later)
Dear Dr Konatam
Thank you very much for your reassuring replies. Yes I am worried because when I looked up the results on the internet everything pointed towards leukemia. I will do a follow up test in a month and I do understand that you can not just treat the parameters. But do you have any idea what could be causing these abnormalities? Any ideas at all doctor and what can I do to help and or treat. I do understand that the body has abilities to heal it self sometimes if you give it time but I would like to take control over this if possible.
Best regards XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam (4 days later)
Brief Answer:
stress relieving measures required

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

We still don't have answer as what causes transient change in blood parameters when the person is otherwise healthy. But stress is a cause for many illnesses and all measures need to be taken to get rid of it like regular exercise, more fruits and vegetables and timely sleep.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Meher Lakshmi Konatam

Oncologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 292 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Are The Cause And Symptom Of Leukemia?

Brief Answer: not leukemia Detailed Answer: I don't understand why you got the doubt of leukemia based on these parameters. Diagnosis of leukemia is not made on these parameters alone. Leukemias are two types, acute and chronic. Acute leukemia has abnormal cells on peripheral smear and diagnosis is confirmed by bone marrow examination or flow cytometry. Chronic leukemias are two types CML and CLL. Both these types are asymptomatic for a very long time. CML usually can be made out on peripheral smear. WBC is very high in lakhs, differential count is abnormal with myelocyte peak and splenomegaly is usually present. Coming to CLL. It is a chronic disease. WBC is high with lymphocyte peak. I understand you must be doubting this condition. But just lymphocytosis doesn't mean CLL. It needs to be confirmed by bone marrow and flow cytometry. Even if CLL is confirmed all patients don't require treatment. Only symptomatic patients and patients with rapid lymphocyte doubling need treatment. Others are just put on follow up. They may remain asymptomatic for years together and some don't require treatment in their lifetime. Hope this is reassuring. Regards