| 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) |