LEUKOCYTOPHERESIS Meaning and
Definition
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Leukocytopheresis is a medical procedure aimed at selectively removing excess or abnormal white blood cells (leukocytes) from the bloodstream. It is a form of blood cell separation technique used to lower the number of circulating leukocytes in patients with certain pathological conditions, especially those characterized by a marked increase in white blood cell count.
During leukocytopheresis, blood is withdrawn from the patient using a specialized machine called a leukapheresis machine or cell separator. This machine employs centrifugation or filtration techniques to separate white blood cells from the rest of the blood components. The separated leukocytes are then collected, while the remaining blood components, such as red blood cells and platelets, are returned to the patient's bloodstream.
The procedure is commonly employed in the treatment of several conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, and other hematological disorders associated with elevated leukocyte counts. By reducing the number of leukocytes, leukocytopheresis helps to alleviate symptoms such as hyperleukocytosis, inflammation, and tissue damage caused by the excessive white blood cells.
Leukocytopheresis can be performed as a standalone treatment or in combination with other therapeutic interventions, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, to improve clinical outcomes in patients with certain blood-related disorders. It is generally considered safe, with potential side effects limited to those common to any blood withdrawal or infusion procedures, such as temporary discomfort, bruising, or infection at the access site.
Common Misspellings for LEUKOCYTOPHERESIS
- keukocytopheresis
- peukocytopheresis
- oeukocytopheresis
- lwukocytopheresis
- lsukocytopheresis
- ldukocytopheresis
- lrukocytopheresis
- l4ukocytopheresis
- l3ukocytopheresis
- leykocytopheresis
- lehkocytopheresis
- lejkocytopheresis
- leikocytopheresis
- le8kocytopheresis
- le7kocytopheresis
- leujocytopheresis
- leumocytopheresis
- leulocytopheresis
- leuoocytopheresis
- leuiocytopheresis
Etymology of LEUKOCYTOPHERESIS
The word "Leukocytopheresis" is derived from two main components, "leuko-" and "-cytopheresis".
"Leuko-" is a combining form derived from the Greek word "leukos", meaning "white". It is commonly used in medical terminology to refer to white blood cells.
"-Cytopheresis" is a combining form that originates from two Greek words, "kytos" meaning "cell", and "aphairesis" meaning "removal". It is used to indicate a process of selectively removing specific cells from the bloodstream.
Therefore, "Leukocytopheresis" combines the terms "leuko" (white blood cells) and "cytopheresis" (cell removal), indicating a procedure for selectively removing white blood cells from the blood.
