Leukemic infiltration is a medical term used to describe the presence or spread of leukemic cells, which are cancerous cells originating from the bone marrow, into other tissues or organs of the body. Leukemia itself is a type of cancer characterized by the abnormal production and proliferation of white blood cells in the bone marrow.
In leukemic infiltration, these cancerous cells enter and accumulate in various parts of the body, including organs such as the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, central nervous system, or even other bone marrow sites. This infiltration can occur through the bloodstream or by direct invasion into the affected tissues.
The presence of leukemic infiltration can cause disruption and dysfunction in the affected organs, leading to a range of symptoms depending on the specific location and extent of infiltration. Common symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, organomegaly (enlarged organs), bone pain, weakness, fatigue, fever, recurrent infections, easy bleeding or bruising, and neurological abnormalities if the central nervous system is involved.
The detection and diagnosis of leukemic infiltration may be accomplished through various diagnostic tests such as blood tests, imaging techniques like CT scans or MRI, bone marrow biopsy, and lumbar puncture, among others. Treatment approaches for leukemic infiltration are typically aimed at treating the underlying leukemia itself, using therapies such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, and stem cell transplantation.
Overall, leukemic infiltration refers to the spread and accumulation of leukemic cells outside the bone marrow, potentially affecting multiple organs and systems of the body.
