| leukemia | <haematology> An acute or chronic disease of unknown cause in man and other warm blooded animals that involves the blood forming organs, is characterised by an abnormal increase in the number of leucocytes in the tissues of the body with or without a corresponding increase of those in the circulating blood and is classified according of the type leucocyte most prominently involved. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| myelocytic | Pertaining to or characterised by myelocytes. (05 Mar 2000) |
| myelocytic crisis | A temporary but conspicuous and sudden increase in cells of the myelocytic series in the circulating blood. (05 Mar 2000) |
| myelocytic leukaemia | <haematology, tumour> A form of leukaemia characterised by an uncontrolled proliferation of myelopoietic cells in the bone marrow and in extramedullary sites, and the presence of large numbers of immature and mature granulocytic forms in various tissues (and organs) and in the circulating blood. The total count may range from 1000 (aleukaemic variety) to several hundred thousand per cu mm. The predominant cell is usually of the neutrophilic series, but, in a few instances, eosinophilic or basophilic granulocytes, or even megakaryocytes, may represent the chief form; early in granulocytic leukaemia, the circulating blood may contain excessive numbers of all of the granulocytic forms. Synonym: leukaemic myelosis, myelocytic leukaemia, myelogenic leukaemia, myelogenous leukaemia, myeloid leukaemia. (05 Mar 2000) |
| myelocytic leukemoid reaction | Leukocytosis of at least moderate degree, e.g., 50,000 or more per cu mm, with a few immature forms, e.g., 1 or 2% myelocytes, but chiefly mature polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the circulating blood; may be observed in association with tuberculosis, chronic osteomyelitis, various types of empyema, malaria, pneumococcal pneumonia, meningococcal meningitis, Hodgkin's disease, and metastases of carcinoma in the bone marrow. (05 Mar 2000) |
| leukaemia, myelocytic, acute | Progressive, malignant disease of the myeloid tissue in which the granular, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and their precursors predominate. (12 Dec 1998) |
| anaemia of chronic disease | <disease> A form of anaemia which develops as the result of a long-term infection or illness. Chronic diseases can interfere with red blood cell production in addition to shortening red blood cell life span in the body. Symptoms are largely due to the underlying disease. Haemoglobin and haematocrit are generally low. Iron studies may be low to normal. Red blood cell indices may usually normal. (27 Sep 1997) |
| benign familial chronic pemphigus | Recurrent eruption of vesicles and bullae that become scaling and crusted lesions with vesicular borders, predominantly of the neck, groin, and axillary regions; autosomal dominant inheritance, presenting in late adolescence or early adult life. Synonym: Hailey-Hailey disease. (05 Mar 2000) |
| candidiasis, chronic mucocutaneous | A clinical syndrome characterised by development, usually in infancy or childhood, of a chronic, often widespread candidiasis of skin, nails, and mucous membranes. It may be secondary to one of the immunodeficiency syndromes, inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, or associated with defects in cell-mediated immunity, endocrine disorders, dental stomatitis, or malignancy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| granulomatous disease, chronic | A recessive x-linked defect of leukocyte function in which phagocytic cells ingest but fail to digest bacteria, resulting in recurring bacterial infections with granuloma formation. (12 Dec 1998) |
| persistent chronic hepatitis | A benign chronic hepatitis that may follow acute viral hepatitis A or B, or complicate bowel diseases; after six months, liver biopsy changes are mild, unlike active chronic hepatitis; rarely, if ever, progresses to cirrhosis, portal hypertension, or liver failure. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chronic | Persisting over a long period of time. Origin: L. Chronicus, Gr. Chronos = time (18 Nov 1997) |
| chronic abscess | A long-standing collection of pus surrounded by fibrous tissue. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chronic absorptive arthritis | Arthritis accompanied by pronounced resorption of bone with shortening and deformity, especially of the hands; when the deformity is extreme, the condition has also been termed arthritis mutilans. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chronic acholuric jaundice | <haematology> A hereditary disorder that leads to a chronic haemolytic anaemia due to an abnormality in the red blood cell membrane. This disorder is caused by a defective gene. Red cells are resistant to stress and rupture easily. Infants may appear jaundiced and pale. Fatigue, weakness and shortness of breath are other symptoms that may be seen in older patients. The spleen may also be enlarged. Treatment includes splenectomy (removal of the spleen). After this is accomplished the life-span of the red blood cells returns to normal. (27 Sep 1997) |