Paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction in solid tumors

Am J Clin Oncol. 2015 Jun;38(3):326-30. doi: 10.1097/COC.0b013e3182a530dd.

Abstract

Leukemoid reaction is defined as leucocytosis >50,000/μL. When it occurs in association with a malignancy, and infection or leukemia has been ruled out, it is termed as paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction. A patient presented with fatigue, generalized weakness, and abdominal distension and was incidentally noted to have a white blood cell count of 139,000/μL. Leukemia was ruled out by peripheral smear and flow cytometry. Computed tomography-guided biopsy of thickened omentum revealed poorly differentiated metastatic carcinoma. He died 3 days after admission with a peak white blood cell count of 180,000/μL. Previous reports and pathophysiology of paraneoplastic leukemoid reaction are reviewed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Leukemoid Reaction / etiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / complications*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / complications*
  • Omentum*
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / etiology*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Peritoneal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography