MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Leukemoid reaction

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Leukemoid reaction

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition	References

Illustrations

Antibodies

Definition Return to top

A leukemoid reaction is an increase in white blood cells count similar to what occurs in persons with leukemia. However, the reaction is actually due to an infection or another disease and is not a sign of cancer.

References Return to top

Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: pp. 1259-1260.

Update Date: 7/11/2008

Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and James R. Mason, MD, Oncologist, Director, Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program and Stem Cell Processing Lab, Scripps Clinic, Torrey Pines, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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