Leukocytosis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Leukocytosis is a condition where you have too many leukocytes in your blood. Leukocytes are also called white blood cells (WBCs). Your WBCs are part of your immune system, which fights infections and diseases. WBCs are made in your bone marrow, which is soft, spongy tissue inside your bones. Some of your WBCs remain in your bone marrow and some are released into your blood. Leukocytosis is most commonly caused by infection (from germs called bacteria) and inflammation (swelling, pain, and redness). Leukocytosis can also be caused by problems with your bone marrow, like a cancer called leukemia. Certain medicines, emotional stress, and physical stress may also cause your leukocytosis.
  
  
• Leukocytosis is diagnosed by using a blood test that counts your white blood cells (a complete blood count). If your blood has a very high amount of WBCs, you may have a serious condition called hyperleukocytosis. Your caregiver will also do other tests to look for the cause of your leukocytosis. Leukocytosis may get better with or without treatment. If you do have treatment, your caregiver will usually treat the cause of your leukocytosis. He may also do procedures to decrease the amount of WBCs in your blood, such as leukapheresis. With treatment, your WBCs may return to a normal level. Your symptoms, such as pain and a poor appetite, may decrease.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• Your medicine may cause stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, sudden rashes, or a fever. You may become more likely to get infections. You may be allergic to the medicine used in your treatment. If you have leukapheresis, you may get muscle cramps or sepsis, a serious blood infection. If tubes were inserted in your veins, you may bleed too much at the tube site. With or without treatment, your leukocytosis may get worse.
  
  
• Without treatment, you may get hyperleukocytosis, which can damage your body organs. You may have trouble seeing, breathing, or hearing. You may get blood clots in your kidney or lungs. You may bleed inside your eyes. Bleeding may also happen in your brain, and you may suddenly become more confused or sleepier than usual. You may also go into a coma, have a heart attack, or have a stroke. If hyperleukocytosis or the condition causing leukocytosis is not treated, your symptoms may worsen and you may die. Ask your caregiver if you have questions about your condition, treatment, or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent

is a legal document that explains the tests, treatments, or procedures that you may need. Informed consent means you understand what will be done and can make decisions about what you want. You give your permission when you sign the consent form. You can have someone sign this form for you if you are not able to sign it. You have the right to understand your medical care in words you know. Before you sign the consent form, understand the risks and benefits of what will be done. Make sure all your questions are answered.

An IV (intravenous)

is a small tube placed in your vein that is used to give you medicine or liquids.

Central line:

This is a special IV catheter or tube. It is put into a large vein (blood vessel) near your collarbone, in your neck, or in your groin. The groin is the area where your abdomen meets your upper leg. Other central lines, such as a PICC, may be put into your arm. You may need a central line to receive medicines or IV fluids that need to be given through a big vein. You may need a central line if it is hard for caregivers to insert a regular IV. Also, a central line may stay in longer than a regular IV can. Some central lines may also be used to take blood samples.

Medicines:

You may be given the following medicines:

Medicine:

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help you treat or prevent the infection that is causing your leukocytosis. It may also help stop you from getting sepsis.
  
  
• Anti-uric acid medicine: This medicine may be given to decrease the amount of uric acid in your body. Uric acid is a chemical found in your blood. It may also help prevent more damage to your cells.
  
  
• Steroids: This medicine may be given to decrease inflammation. It may also help decrease the number of WBCs in your blood.
  
  
• Antacids: These medicines help decrease the acid in your urine during your treatment for leukocytosis.
  
  
• Intravenous (IV) fluids: You may need medicine or extra fluid in your blood vessels. These liquids are given through an IV.

Tests:

• Blood tests:
  
  
  • You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a vein in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
    
    
  • You will have complete blood count (CBC) to check number of WBCs in your blood. You may have other blood tests, such as a peripheral blood smear (PBS). A PBS will show the shape and form of your WBCs. It will also show if you have too much of one type of WBC in your blood. Your caregiver may do other blood tests to look for infection or other possible causes of your leukocytosis. Your blood may also be tested to see if it has too much uric acid or other chemicals.
  
  
• Bone marrow biopsy: This is when a sample of bone marrow is removed and sent to a lab for tests. The skin over your upper hipbone is first cleaned. Caregivers put numbing medicine into your skin so you will have little pain. A bandage is put on the biopsy area after the tissue sample is taken.
  
  
• Chest x-ray: This is a picture of your lungs and heart. Caregivers use it to see how your lungs and heart are doing. Caregivers may use the x-ray to look for signs of infection like pneumonia, or to look for collapsed lungs. Chest x-rays may show tumors or other diseases that may cause leukocytosis.
  
  
• Echocardiogram: This test is a type of ultrasound. Sound waves are used to show the structure, movement, and blood vessels of your heart.
  
  
• Pulmonary function tests: Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) help caregivers learn how well your body uses oxygen. You breathe into a mouthpiece connected to a machine. The machine measures how much air you breathe in and out over a certain amount of time. PFTs help your caregivers decide the best treatment for you.
  
  
• Pulse oximeter: A pulse oximeter is a device that measures the amount of oxygen in your blood. A cord with a clip or sticky strip is placed on your finger, ear, or toe. The other end of the cord is hooked to a machine. Never turn the pulse oximeter or alarm off. An alarm will sound if your oxygen level is low or cannot be read.

Treatment options:

• Leukapheresis: During leukapheresis, blood is taken from your body through an IV. White blood cells (WBCs) are removed from the blood by a machine or a caregiver. Your blood, without the WBCs, may be given back to you, or sent to a lab for tests. It may also be stored and given to another person.
  
  
• Chemotherapy:
  
  
  • Chemotherapy is also called "chemo". It is a special medicine that is often used to treat cancer, such as leukemia. It works by killing tumor cells. Your caregiver will decide what kind and how much chemotherapy you may need. Your caregiver may start you on one kind of chemotherapy and then switch to another. Chemotherapy may be used to decrease the amount of WBCs in your blood or treat your leukemia. Chemotherapy may also be used to shrink lymph nodes that have cancer in them. Once the tumor is smaller, you may have surgery to cut out the rest of the cancer.
    
    
  • Many different chemotherapy medicines are used to treat cancer. You may need blood tests often. These blood tests show how your body is doing and how much chemotherapy is needed. Chemotherapy can have many side effects. Caregivers will watch you closely and will work with you to decrease side effects. Chemotherapy can cure some cancers. Even if the chemotherapy does not cure your cancer, it may help you feel better or live longer.
  
  
• Bone marrow transplant (BMT): This is when your diseased bone marrow is replaced with healthy marrow. You are usually given bone marrow from someone else (a donor). Sometimes your own marrow may be used if it is collected when your cancer is in remission (not active). The bone marrow transplant is given to you in an IV while you are in the hospital. A BMT may cure your illness, but it can cause other very serious health problems. You may be in the hospital for a month after your BMT.
  
  
• Blood transfusion: You will get whole or parts of blood through an IV during a transfusion. Blood is tested for diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV, to be sure it is safe.

Learn more about Leukocytosis (Inpatient Care)