Question 1

how bad is the prognosis for plasma cell leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Bad but there's hope: Plasma cell leukemia is a very aggressive  cancer of marrow plasma cells with survival sometimes measured in months. Newer drugs however along with stem cell transplant appear promising to improve the prognosis. See Expert Rev Hemtol 2010 Oct 3,p543

Question 2

ibrutinib: do you know if this drug works with plasma cell leukemia?

Accepted Answer

I am not aware: of data using Ibrutinib to treat plasma cell leukemia. It is being used to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia which is a different disease

Question 3

does leukemia always cause an elevated white blood cell count?

Accepted Answer

No, not always!: Acute leukemia can have high counts, near normal counts or even low white counts because the disease actually begins and resides in the bone marrow. What you see in the peripheral blood is only the consequences of abnormal bone marrow function which is highly variable from one person tot he other.

Question 4

low white blood cells at 2.9 and high mpv and 12.5. does this look like a myeloid leukemia? i have also been having extreme fatgiue and stomach issues. if not what are some of the causes of these abnormal numbers and symptoms?

Accepted Answer

: High MPV can be seen in low platelet counts sometimes as a compensatory mechanism. . Low wbc can be a sign of autoimmune disorder, viral infection or be a normal variant. However if the low wbc is accompanied by low HCT and low platelet count, serious bone marrow disorders are the usual cause. A hematologist can advise you best.

Question 5

bleeding gums sign of leukemia? gums bleed on and off for a month now especially when brushing. had checkup doc says white blood cells looked different but no severe cause. should i be worried? get a second opinion?

Accepted Answer

Please see your M.D.: Your symptoms warrant a further visit with your physician. Please see your dentist as well for a check up. 
The blood count may be analyzed further by a repeat test with microscopic investigation.

Question 6

i have a high white blood cells count of 12500 accompanied by high percentage of 7% myelocytes in blood and been diagnosed with myelemia, what is myelemia ? causes symptoms treatment and all? could that lead to aml ( acute myelogenous leukemia)?

Accepted Answer

Myelemia: Or myelocytosis is a descriptive term for the increased number of myelocytes described and is not a medical condition per se. further work up will be needed in order to determine the condition conducive to above changes. A hematologist will likely be needed for follow up and in order to elucidate the actual cause for described changes.

Question 7

my eye doctor told me i have a retinal hemorrhage. i do not have high blood pressure, diabetes, leukemia or sickle cell anemia. another cause?

Accepted Answer

Retinal hemorrhage: I have seen a patient who had not high blood pressure as measured in her arms because she had hardening of the arteries to both arms thus lowering the measured pressure in both arms to normal. Which her aortic pressure was over 200. More likely causes are DM, taking aspirin, or warfarin, or have low platelets.

Question 8

what are the chances of surviving hairy cell leukemia?

Accepted Answer

EXCELLENT: Hairy cell leukemia is rare. In about 90% of people with hcl one treatment can put them in remission for a very long time. Although hcl is considered incurable, its prognosis is great, most live a normal lifespan.  It is very important to have lifetime surveillance.

Question 9

is hairy cell leukemia hereditary?

Accepted Answer

No.: Hairy cell leukemia is a relatively rare type of blood cancer that arises from lymphocytes.  It is extremely responsive to treatment.  Altough probably not cured, short treatments can result in many years of remission.  There is no inherited predisposition to hairy cell leukemia.

Question 10

what are the tests for hairy cell leukemia?

Accepted Answer

Hcl diagnosis: Clinical history and examination as well as simple blood work will reveal evidence of pancytopenia ( low white blood cell, red blood and platelet level) and enlargement of spleen and symptoms associated with above. This information is important. Ultimately, a bone marrow biopsy is essential to be done to diagnose hairy cell leukemia. Discuss further with
 your oncologist.

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Doctor answers about:

Causes of plasma cell leukemia

A member asked:

How bad is the prognosis for plasma cell leukemia?

A member asked:

Ibrutinib: do you know if this drug works with plasma cell leukemia?

A member asked:

Does leukemia always cause an elevated white blood cell count?

A member asked:

Low white blood cells at 2.9 and high mpv and 12.5. does this look like a myeloid leukemia? i have also been having extreme fatgiue and stomach issues. if not what are some of the causes of these abnormal numbers and symptoms?

A member asked:

Bleeding gums sign of leukemia? gums bleed on and off for a month now especially when brushing. had checkup doc says white blood cells looked different but no severe cause. should i be worried? get a second opinion?

A member asked:

I have a high white blood cells count of 12500 accompanied by high percentage of 7% myelocytes in blood and been diagnosed with myelemia, what is myelemia ? causes symptoms treatment and all? could that lead to aml ( acute myelogenous leukemia)?

A member asked:

My eye doctor told me i have a retinal hemorrhage. i do not have high blood pressure, diabetes, leukemia or sickle cell anemia. another cause?

A member asked:

What are the chances of surviving hairy cell leukemia?

A member asked:

Is hairy cell leukemia hereditary?

A member asked:

What are the tests for hairy cell leukemia?

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