What causes white blood cells to be high?
A high white blood cell count usually indicates: An increased production of white blood cells to fight an infection. A reaction to a drug that increases white blood cell production. A disease of bone marrow, causing abnormally high production of white blood cells.
Does high white blood cells always mean cancer?
Not always. A high white blood cell count could signal certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma, but it more often is a sign of inflammation or infection. When there is a pathogen in your body, your immune system releases cells to fight it off and heal your body.
Is high white blood count serious?
Leukocytosis is a normal immune response and isn’t always a cause for concern. Most of the time, it means that your body is fighting off infection or inflammation. However, there are times when a high white blood cell count could indicate something more serious, such as leukemia.
What types of cancer cause high white blood cell count?
By determining which type is elevated, doctors can find out the exact cause of the high count. Two blood cancers, lymphoma and lymphocytic leukemia, are associated with high numbers of lymphocytes in the bloodstream.
What are symptoms of high white blood cell count?
Symptoms of a High White Blood Cell Count
- Fever.
- Fatigue.
- Decreased appetite.
- Sweats.
- Chills.
- Swelling of an area of infection.
- Joint swelling due to infection or autoimmune disease.
- Itching, with or without a rash.
Should I worry if my white blood cell count is high?
What white blood cell count indicates cancer?
150,000 to 400,000 per microliter.
What happens to white blood cells that leave the bone marrow?
Normally, certain white blood cells leave the bone marrow and mature in other parts of the body. Some of these develop into plasma cells that produce proteins called antibodies that move through the bloodstream to help the body get rid of harmful substances. Because the body has many types of plasma cells, it can respond to many substances.
What does it mean when your white blood cells are high?
An increase in white blood cells is known as leukocytosis. It typically occurs in response to the following conditions: Certain respiratory illnesses, such as a whooping cough or tuberculosis, may cause the levels of white blood cells to increase.
What is the most common bone marrow cancer?
Multiple myeloma. The most common type of bone marrow cancer is multiple myeloma. It starts in the plasma cells. These are white blood cells that make antibodies to protect your body from foreign invaders. Tumors form when your body starts to produce too many plasma cells.
What are the causes of bone marrow cancer?
It isn’t clear what causes bone marrow cancer. Contributing factors may include: exposure to toxic chemicals in solvents, fuels, engine exhaust, certain cleaning products, or agricultural products exposure to atomic radiation