A friend's nephew has been feeling ill and the blood tests have come back?

Question

They show he has a high white cell count - they are now rushing through more blood tests. I know a high white cell count can signify infection, but what else can cause it? He is also feeling sick after eating and his knee joints have swollen up. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Please don't think this is cancer - that is probably one of the least likely possibles for a raised white cell count. There are literally hundreds of conditions that can cause this. As other posters have said - your doctor needs the differential and a blood film just as a starter, he/she may then require further tests before they can give you a diagnosis.

Try to remember that common things are common - and cancers are fortunately relatively rare - especially when talking about islolated blood results. I know that waiting and not knowing is hard, but try not to let your imagination run away with you.

BTW - I am a doctor (but not a haematologist)

Answer 2

A high white cell count alone isn't indicative of any specific disease. It can occur due to many things including infection, inflammation, certain drugs and as part of some underlying disease process (not necessarily cancer). Haematologists (doctors specialising in blood) don't just look at the white count to make a diagnosis they also look at the types of white cells present and their appearance as well as the other cells in the blood and look at any other tests that may be needed as a result of any accompanying symptoms. It would be irresponsible and very premature to speculate on a possible diagnosis based solely on the information above. As difficult as it must be for your friend it is probably best to wait until all the test results are in. Hope your friend's nephew feels better soon.

Answer 3

'Thumbs Down Collector' gives you good advice. My answer is based upon experience and treatment but not on scientific knowledge. Others note that cancer can be detected in blood tests. Your negative results would indicate that you are in the clear in this respect. It is extremely unlikely that your swollen neck gland could be a 'lymphatic' cancer after only a week of negative tests. The fact that it 'goes up and down' is an indication that something else is the cause. I am not a doctor but I have had the exact same pattern and symtoms as you have had. For years I had a swollen neck gland and it became bigger and gave me referred pain - probably from pressing on nerves - to the side of my head and to my shoulder. I, too, could 'move it about' and my neck movement was restricted and sore. Like you, I had the experience of my doctor saying that he could feel nothing. Of course, we know our own bodies and we are more sensitive to any changes than others may be - including doctors. Don't worry about being labelled a hypochondriac. If you have symptoms and you have pain and discomfort, 'bother' your doctor, if you wish. (As long as she is not named 'House'!) As you know, doctors often feel around the neck and throat for swollen glands when the patient has an illness or infection. Swollen glands usually subside after the body's reaction to the illness. If they do not subside, the cause has to be investigated. You have already done this to some extent. After a while of 'being a coward', I insisted that my swollen gland should be biopsied. This was quick and painless. The hospital doctor wrote a report to me, saying that the gland showed no signs of disease but he thought that it was connected to a long-standing skin condition which is constantly fought by the body's lymphatic system. That's what it is for, although in some patients it can cause problems when cancer is clearly present. I would have thought that you would have been very ill by now, and called to hospital, if you had any serious problem. If you do not have any such condition or other obvious condtions, you should worry less, but still be prepared to see the doctor. Often, any variation in the body's systems, can lead to lymph gland swelling, especially, also, in the groin and under the armpits. Doctors usually look for this. (Please don't start thinking that your armpits are painful!) My answer is, obviously, to encourage you, from experience of similar symptoms. Similar symptoms need not be from similar causes, of course. There is no guarantee in life - but in my case, after a long time, I have had few problems in this respect. Just to 'cheer you up', that was 25 years ago! Best wishes

Answer 4

An elevated number of white blood cells is called leukocytosis. This can result from bacterial infections, inflammation, leukemia, trauma, or stress. The WBC count tends to be lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon. WBC counts are age-related. Eating, physical activity, and stress can cause an increased WBC count

On average, normal newborns and infants have higher WBC counts than adults. There are many drugs that cause both increased and decreased WBC counts.

There are five main types of white cells: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.

Treatment depends upon the cause. Infections usually cause increased WBC counts and may be treated with antibiotics. Leukemias require chemotherapy and other treatments.

Answer 5

Rather than asking us and getting back some absolutely ridiculous answers that are going to make you panic, try to be patient and wait for the test results to come back. There is no point getting worried by people telling you it could be cancer when it could just be a nasty infection or inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis. There are so many possibilities and reasons for one's white cells to be elevated, and it does not mean that there are not enough red cells in the body.
Take my advice and keep yourself together for your friend and her nephew, she needs you to be strong, not be panicked.

Answer 6

my mother and sister both had similar symptoms, along with other symptoms, and were diagnised with Lupus... but I don't think that you should worry too much yet: let the hospital carry out the tests: there are so many things that could cause this, and not all of them are too serious... this isn't really the place to be asking, because the answers you get are likely to be worrying, and we don't have enough information or knowledge to be able to tell you too accurately what the problem is likely to be; Please talk to the Doctors at the hospital: they'll be mnore than happy to advise you, and they are far better qualified to do so. I wish you, and the young man all the best, and hope that he feels better soon

Answer 7

far too early to think of cancer. please wait. the blood tests will be repeated again. white cells can go up for many reasons, especially infection as you say.
they will also look at a blood film, which shows the way the cells look. they will also investigate for the possible causes of infection.

Answer 8

I also thought it might be cancer, sad to tell you..I might be wrong, but I think that a high white blood cell count means that there are not enough red blood cells being produced....I pray this isn't the case, but don't say anything about it...I would just start praying and be there for your friend...with out letting on why

Answer 9

Lukemia, Cancer. I had a blood test once, with a high white cell count. That is what the doctor told me, had more tests and they were ok. But I didn't have an acutal affliction that got me tested it was routine. I hope the boy is ok.

Answer 10

Very high white blood count along with swelling of knee joints raises the suspision of LEUKEMIA.
It is just a suspision final diagnosis will come out after bone marrow biopsy.........
ask your friend to consult any haematologist...
regards