MYELOCYTOSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Myelocytosis is a medical term that refers to the abnormal increase in the number of immature red and white blood cells in the bone marrow. It is derived from the words "myelo," which pertains to the bone marrow, and "cytosis," meaning an abnormal increase in cell production or presence.
This condition typically occurs when the bone marrow, the spongy tissue found inside the bones, produces an excessive amount of myelocytes. Myelocytes are immature white blood cells that ultimately mature into specific types of white blood cells, such as neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils. In a healthy individual, only a small number of myelocytes are present in the bone marrow, as they are gradually replaced by more mature cells.
The abnormal proliferation of myelocytes can be a sign of various underlying health conditions, including infections, certain types of leukemia, myeloproliferative neoplasms, or other myelodysplastic syndromes. In some cases, myelocytosis may be a reactive response to an infection or inflammation in the body.
The diagnosis of myelocytosis is typically made through a blood test that examines the different types and percentages of blood cells present. Treatment for myelocytosis depends on the underlying cause; it may involve addressing the infection or inflammation, chemotherapy for leukemia treatment, or other targeted therapies. Regular monitoring of blood cell counts is crucial to determine the effectiveness of treatment and manage any potential complications associated with myelocytosis.
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The presence of myelocytes in abnormal numbers in the blood.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MYELOCYTOSIS
- nyelocytosis
- kyelocytosis
- jyelocytosis
- mtelocytosis
- mgelocytosis
- mhelocytosis
- muelocytosis
- m7elocytosis
- m6elocytosis
- mywlocytosis
- myslocytosis
- mydlocytosis
- myrlocytosis
- my4locytosis
- my3locytosis
- myekocytosis
- myepocytosis
- myeoocytosis
- myelicytosis
- myelkcytosis
Etymology of MYELOCYTOSIS
The word "myelocytosis" is derived from two Greek roots:
1. "Muelos" (μυελός) means "marrow" in Greek. In medical terminology, it specifically refers to the bone marrow, the spongy tissue found inside bones responsible for the production of various blood cells.
2. "Kytos" (κύτος) means "cell" in Greek.
The suffix "-osis" is used in medical terminology to indicate a pathological condition or disease.
Therefore, "myelocytosis" can be interpreted as a disease or pathological condition that involves an abnormal increase in the number of myelocytes, which are immature white blood cells found in the bone marrow.
