Etymed
lymphoblastic leukemia
Definition
A type of leukemia characterized by the presence of immature lymphoblasts in the blood and bone marrow
Clinical context
A 12-year-old boy presents with fatigue, pallor, and frequent infections. Physical examination reveals hepatosplenomegaly and generalized lymphadenopathy. Laboratory studies show pancytopenia with 35% lymphoblasts in the peripheral blood smear. Bone marrow biopsy demonstrates hypercellular marrow with extensive infiltration by immature lymphoblasts.
Mnemonic
Lymphoblastic leukemia = Lymphoblasts + Blast crisis in blood and bone marrow
These morphemes also unlock…
- lymph/o — lymph
- blast/o — immature cell; germ
- -ic — pertaining to
- leuk/o — white
- -emia — blood condition