Disorders of White Blood Cells Flashcards
What are white blood cells (WBCs) and what do they do?
WBCs (leukocytes) are the body’s defense army! They fight infections, destroy invaders, and regulate immunity.
Where are WBCs produced?
In the bone marrow!
What are the two types of immunity WBCs help with?
✔️ Innate Immunity – Fast, non-specific (Neutrophils, Macrophages).
✔️ Adaptive Immunity – Slow, but memory-based (B & T cells).
What are the 3 main types of WBCs?
1️⃣ Monocytes – Become macrophages, big eaters of invaders.
2️⃣ Lymphocytes – T & B cells for immunity.
3️⃣ Granulocytes – Neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils (contain granules that release chemicals).
What’s special about neutrophils?
✔️ First responders in infections!
✔️ Phagocytosis → Eat bacteria & release free radicals to kill invaders.
✔️ High neutrophil count = bacterial infection!
What do eosinophils do?
They fight parasites & allergies.
What do basophils do?
They release histamine → causes inflammation & attracts neutrophils!
What’s a normal WBC count?
4,000–11,000 cells per microliter.
What is leukocytosis?
Too many WBCs! 🚀 (Above 11,000)
• Can be from infection, stress, leukemia.
What is leukopenia?
Too few WBCs! ⚠️ (Below 4,000)
• Weakened immune response (caused by chemo, autoimmune disease, infections).
What is neutrophilia?
Too many neutrophils! (Above 7,000)
• Bacterial infections, smoking, stress can cause it.
What is neutropenia?
Low neutrophils! (Below 1,500)
• Increased infection risk!
What are the two major types of blood cancers?
1️⃣ Leukemia – Cancer of WBCs in blood & bone marrow.
2️⃣ Lymphoma – Cancer of B or T cells in lymph nodes.
What are risk factors for blood cancers?
✔️ Anything that damages DNA! (Radiation, chemicals).
✔️ Viruses like EBV, HIV.
✔️ H. pylori (can cause lymphoma).
What are common symptoms of leukemia/lymphoma?
✔️ Anemia (low RBCs) → Fatigue.
✔️ Leukopenia (low WBCs) → Infection risk.
✔️ Thrombocytopenia (low platelets) → Bleeding/bruising.
✔️ Bone pain (cancer crowding bone marrow).
How are blood cancers diagnosed?
✔️ CBC with Differential → Checks WBC counts.
✔️ Bone Marrow Biopsy → Checks for cancer cells.
✔️ Flow Cytometry → Identifies cancer type.
What are common treatments for leukemia/lymphoma?
✔️ Chemotherapy
✔️ Radiation therapy
✔️ Stem cell transplant
✔️ CAR-T Cell Therapy → Reprogramming your own T cells to fight cancer!
What is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)?
✔️ Most common in kids!
✔️ Aggressive but treatable (80% survival in children).
✔️ More than 20% of bone marrow cells are lymphoblasts (immature WBCs).
What is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)?
✔️ Most common in adults (esp. over 70).
✔️ B cells are abnormal → don’t make working antibodies.
✔️ Can transform into aggressive lymphoma (Richter’s transformation).
What are the two types of lymphoma?
1️⃣ Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) – Has Reed-Sternberg cells (“Owl Eyes”).
2️⃣ Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) – More common, over 30 subtypes!
What are the characteristics of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL)?
✔️ Most common in young adults & kids over 10.
✔️ Painless swollen lymph nodes.
✔️ Reed-Sternberg cells are a giveaway!
What are the characteristics of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)?
✔️ More common in older adults.
✔️ Can be B, T, or NK cells.
✔️ Some are linked to infections (HIV, Hep C, H. pylori).
How are lymphomas staged?
✔️ Size of tumor.
✔️ Spread of disease.
✔️ Genetic markers.
What are quick mnemonics for WBCs?
🛡️ WBCs = The Body’s Security Team
• Neutrophils = First responders (bacteria fighters).
• Lymphocytes = Memory & adaptive immunity.
• Monocytes = The Big Eaters (turn into macrophages).
• Eosinophils = Parasites & allergies.
• Basophils = Histamine release (inflammation).
What is the difference between leukemia and lymphoma?
✔️ Leukemia = Too many WBCs in blood.
✔️ Lymphoma = Cancer in lymph nodes.
What is a key feature of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL)?
✔️ Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) = “Owl Eyes” Cells (Reed-Sternberg).
What does neutrophilia indicate?
📈 Neutrophilia = Bacterial infection!
What does neutropenia indicate?
📉 Neutropenia = Infection risk!
What is a study tip for organizing flashcards?
💡 Color-code your flashcards
• Red = Emergencies (Anaphylaxis, Low WBCs).
• Blue = Chronic conditions (CLL, NHL).
• Green = Treatment options.
• Yellow = Fun facts & mnemonics.
