Leucocytosis

12 Mar, 2021

Dr. Rajesh Bollam

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#leucocytosis

What is smokers leucocytosis ?

Does smoking increase WBC count ?

How to identify ??

Leucocytosis of unknown origin ...probes us to many investigations

Make it a point to check for history of smoking ?

What is Smoker’s Leukocytosis?

Smoking:

🚬Induces cytokine release

🚬Impairs the ability of alveolar macrophages to remove apoptotic material, propagating inflammation

🚬Causes a systemic inflammatory response that leads to ⬆️ bone marrow release of leukocytes (Leukocytosis)

How to identify Smoker’s Leukocytosis?

-Mild, persistent elevation of WBC (<20.0)

-History of tobacco use

-Neutrophilia, lymphocytosis, and monocytosis on WBC differential

-Absence of myeloid precursors, blasts, or nucleated RBC

-H&P not suggestive of an alternate etiology

How I Treat Smoker’s Leukocytosis?

-Tell the patient that you think the ⬆️ WBC count is from 🚬

-Provide cessation counseling (appears to be effective in the setting of newly attributed Leukocytosis)

-Recheck CBC in 2 months (median time to improvement of WBC in the study)

In Summary:

-Asymptomatic Leukocytosis is challenging for clinicians

-Consider Smoker’s Leukocytosis in patients with tobacco use who have persistent, mild ⬆️ in WBC, without other concerning cells on WBC differential

-Provide 🚬 cessation counseling

-Recheck CBC in 2 months

#DrRajeshBollam #Hematology #HematoOncologist #cancer #cancerdoctor #Hyderabad #Secundrabad

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