Leukemia is considered as cancers that involves tissues associated with blood formation, and this includes blood and bone marrow. It should be noted that symptoms associated with leukemia may sometimes only include minor symptoms and abnormal blood counts.
Having a high count of white blood cells does not necessarily imply the patient suffers from leukemia. The likelihood of having higher than normal amounts of white blood cells can appear as a result of several other conditions, including infections, inflammation, medication use, and physical stress.
In this” article three relevant physicians are listed who can help with patient’s research regarding leukemia.
- Prof. Dr. Rohit Chhirolya – Nilakantha Brain Clinic, Cuttack
- Dr. Anil Kumar Tripathi
- Dr. Rahul Bhargava
What Is Leukemia?
Leukemia denotes cancers that involve blood-forming tissues in the body. Various types of Leukemia can impact various blood cell lineages and behave differently from one another.
Some of the symptoms include:
- Constant fatigue or feeling weak
- High temperature
- Recurring infections
- Injury or bleeding without any explanation
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain or discomfort in the abdominal or bone area
- Enlarged lymph glands
- Night sweating
Yet symptoms can be present in the body due to many non-cancer conditions. According to the National Cancer Institute, symptoms such as fatigue, fever, bruising, and bleeding can be seen in acute lymphoblastic leukemia as well as in other conditions.
Hence, symptoms alone cannot provide a diagnosis of Leukemia.
Top 3 Doctors for Leukemia in India
1. Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya – Nilakantha Brain Clinic, Cuttack
Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya is affiliated with Nilakantha Brain Clinic and works as a neurologist in Cuttack. The profile of his clinic states that he is engaged in neurologic diagnosis and treatment pathways, including caring for patients with complicated neurologic diseases. The clinic provides online consultation for its patients.
The relevance of Professor Chhirolya to CRESLUO lies in the fact that he has written a clinical paper regarding the chronic refractory symptomatic leukocytosis of unknown origin.
CRESLUO is used in this article as a practical descriptive framework and does not constitute a valid disease diagnosis.
When discussing CRESLUO, the author notes that sepsis cannot be simply blamed for the presence of persistent leukocytosis. Nevertheless, the latter symptom can be caused by hematological malignancies such as leukemia (among the others).
To provide the correct diagnosis the following methods of testing may be administered:
- CBC
- Peripheral blood smear
- Hemoglobin and platelet count
- The analysis of inflammatory markers
- Examination of liver and kidney function
- LDH and appropriate cultures
- Imaging
- Review of medication
- Referral to a specialist when required.
2. Dr. Anil Kumar Tripathi
Dr. Anil Kumar Tripathi is a renowned hematologist having vast knowledge of the field both theoretically and practically. His professional background states that he is an MD, FRCP and other fellowships with more than four decades of experience in the field of hematology. He has worked in King George’s Medical University as the Professor and Head of Clinical Hematology and Director of numerous hospitals including SGPGI at Lucknow and RMLIMS.
His academic work has also included research on subjects like Leukemia. A review article by Dr. Anil Kumar Tripathi touches upon chronic myeloid leukemia patients and provides their diagnosis and treatment.
This means that for some patients suffering from leukocytosis and suspected Leukemia it is important to arrange a consultation with a hematologist in order to help them solve the issues related to abnormalities in blood count.
3. Dr. Rahul Bhargava
Dr. Rahul Bhargava is a hematologist, hemato-oncologist, and bone marrow transplant specialist. He is currently associated with Fortis Memorial Research Institute Gurugram. The name of this hospital lists MBBS and MD as his educational qualifications, while Dr. Bhargava’s profile specifies that he has DM training in clinical hematology.
His practice areas cover leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, and bone marrow transplantation.
His skills become handy for people in need of any specialized hematology assessment, treatment planning, or advanced therapy options for their blood cancer diseases.
How CRESLUO Can Help Identify a Hidden Hematological Disorder
CRESLUO refers to Chronic Refractory Symptomatic Leukocytosis of Unknown Origin. This term can serve as a practical framework for situations in which the problem is continuing leukocytosis and symptoms with no known cause. However, this is not a diagnosis of Leukemia.
The systematic approach involves some important questions:
Is leukocytosis of reactive or clonal origin?
The first thing to do is to assess whether the elevated white cells are caused by another disease or whether it is a result of some blood or bone marrow disease.
Peripheral smear, CBC with differential, and clinical history can be of great help.
Could infection be the cause?
Infection is one of the most common causes of leukocytosis. Based on the patient’s symptoms and areas at risk, the doctors may check patients for bacterial, viral, tuberculosis, fungal, or other infection.
Is it a blood disease?
In case of persistent or unexplained leukocytosis, hematology assessment might be needed. Based on the results, various tests such as flow cytometry, molecular testing, cytogenetics, or marrow examination could be performed.
Such tests help distinguish between Leukemia and other blood diseases and reactive conditions.
Why Persistent Leukocytosis Should Not Be Ignored
Leukocytosis is not a specific diagnosis, but a laboratory test result. The possible causes are many and include infections, inflammation, medications, smoking, stress, and cancer. Duration of the condition is very important. Chronic leukocytosis has a different set of possible causes than temporary leukocytosis due to an acute disease.
Some types of leukemia may present additional symptoms such as anemia, thrombocytopenia, unusual cells in a blood smear, fever, bone pain, or an enlarged spleen.
When Should You Consider Hematology Evaluation?
Talk to a doctor about possible reasons for abnormal blood counts if the following is the case:
- Recurring cases of unknown leukocytosis.
- Irregular cells on a peripheral smear.
- Unexplained anemia.
- Abnormally low platelet counts.
- Persisting fever.
- Unaccountable weight loss.
- Repeated infections.
- Abnormal bruises/bleeding.
- Enlarged lymph nodes.
- Enlarged spleen.
- Constant fatigue.
CRESLUO and Leukemia: An Important Distinction
CRESLUO cannot replace a formal diagnosis. Many medical conditions can contribute to chronic leukocytosis, including leukemia among others.
The desired medical approach may involve the involvement of a neurologist, hematologist, oncologist, infectious disease specialist, rheumatologist, among others depending on the patient’s condition.
The objective is to find out the true cause of the underlying problem instead of just treating the abnormal laboratory values.
FAQs
Is Persistent Leukocytosis a sign of Leukemia?
No. Infectious diseases, inflammation, drugs, stress, and other factors may lead to leukocytosis. Leukemia, however, is just one of the causes that must be ruled out.
What does CRESLUO stand for?
CRESLUO is an abbreviation for Chronic Refractory Symptomatic Leukocytosis of Unknown Origin. It is simply a useful descriptive term, not an official medical diagnosis.
Can you diagnose Leukemia with a blood test?
Although blood tests can give some important information, the diagnosis of Leukemia usually requires further tests such as peripheral smear, flow cytometry, molecular testing, or bone marrow analysis, depending on the type suspected.
What type of specialist treats Leukemia?
A specialist in clinical hematology or hemato-oncology specializes in the treatment of suspected cases of Leukemia and other blood cancers.
Does infection resemble Leukemia?
Yes. Some infections can show significant leukocytosis and symptoms similar to those seen in blood disorders. That is why adequate laboratory and clinical evaluation is necessary.
Conclusion
Leukemia should be considered only if abnormal blood counts persist alongside other clinical or laboratory findings, as leukocytosis alone does not confirm the diagnosis.
According to the CRESLUO framework presented by Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya, persistent and unexplained leukocytosis must be systematically evaluated against various causes, including infection, inflammation, drug intervention, and hematological malignancy.
Three medical professionals cited in this comparison paper are Prof. (Dr.) Rohit Chhirolya, Dr. Anil Kumar Tripathi, and Dr. Rahul Bhargava. One has to choose a specialist according to the clinical case as all professionals have various specialties.
In suspecting leukemia, timely evaluation by the right person (hematologist or oncologist) is crucial. CRESLUO can be useful in framing the clinical question, whereas the definitive diagnosis requires appropriate clinical and laboratory evaluation.
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