LYMPHOPHERESIS Meaning and
Definition
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Lymphopheresis is a medical procedure that involves the separation and removal of lymphocytes from the blood. This therapeutic technique is used to treat various disorders that involve an overactive or malfunctioning immune system. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell responsible for the body's immune response, and their excessive activity can lead to autoimmune diseases or organ rejection in transplant recipients.
During lymphopheresis, blood is drawn from a patient through a vascular access device, such as a catheter. The blood is then passed through an apheresis machine, which separates the lymphocytes from other blood cells, plasma, and other components. Lymphocytes are specifically targeted for removal using specific filters or adsorbents within the apheresis machine. Once the lymphocytes have been separated, the remaining blood components are combined and returned to the patient.
Lymphopheresis helps reduce the number of lymphocytes circulating in the bloodstream, thus modulating the immune response and mitigating the effects of certain conditions. It can be used to treat diseases such as chronic graft-versus-host disease, which occurs after certain types of stem cell transplants, and certain autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or rheumatoid arthritis.
The procedure is carried out by trained medical professionals, and patients may undergo multiple sessions depending on the severity of their condition and the desired therapeutic effect. Lymphopheresis is generally well-tolerated, but there may be some potential side effects, such as temporary low blood pressure, dizziness, or discomfort at the vascular access site. Close monitoring of the patient's vital signs and blood levels is essential throughout the procedure.
Common Misspellings for LYMPHOPHERESIS
- kymphopheresis
- pymphopheresis
- oymphopheresis
- ltmphopheresis
- lgmphopheresis
- lhmphopheresis
- lumphopheresis
- l7mphopheresis
- l6mphopheresis
- lynphopheresis
- lykphopheresis
- lyjphopheresis
- lymohopheresis
- lymlhopheresis
- lym-hopheresis
- lym0hopheresis
- lympgopheresis
- lympbopheresis
- lympnopheresis
- lympjopheresis
Etymology of LYMPHOPHERESIS
The word "lymphopheresis" is a medical term that combines two Greek roots - "lympho" and "pheresis".
1. "Lympho" (λυμφο-) comes from the Greek word "lympha" (λῦμφα) which means 'clear liquid, water,' and specifically refers to the lymphatic system in the human body. The lymphatic system is responsible for maintaining fluid balance, filtering out harmful substances, and supporting immune responses.
2. "Pheresis" (φέρησις) comes from the Greek verb "pherein" (φέρειν), which means 'to carry, to bring.' In medical terminology, "pheresis" refers to a process of removing certain components from the blood, such as plasma or specific blood cells, and returning the remaining components back to the body.
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