Leukemia and Phlebotomy

Leukemia is cancer of the blood. The white cells become abnormal and fail to fight infection as intended. The white cells produce in great numbers, affecting the production of platelets needed for clotting. They also affect red blood cells needed to carry oxygen to the rest of the body.

Myeloproliferative Vera Diseases

• Myeloproliferative vera diseases are a group of blood disorders including leukemia with DNA mutations causing overproduction of white and red blood cells and platelets. Often, the overproduction of cells is treated through phlebotomy.

Phlebotomy

• Phlebotomy is used for many reasons. It involves the insertion of a needle into a vein to remove blood samples, deliver medication and as a treatment when the red blood cells or platelets become too numerous in the body. One unit per visit is removed. Subsequent visits are determined by the patient's blood levels

Treatment

• The University of Pennsylvania released a study in March, 2010, conducted by the National Cancer Institute that gives a guide for phlebotomy treatment for various forms of leukemia. The goal is to maintain a hematocrit (HCT) level of 45 percent for men and slightly lower for women at 40 percent which are normal levels.

Complications

• Phlebotomy treatments can cause thrombocytosis-excessive blood clotting, angular stomatosis which is bilateral cracks at the corner of the mouth and glossitis -- inflammation of the tongue. It can also cause dysphagia which is trouble swallowing and though it is rare, muscle weakness can occur.