Neutropenia Center - Weymouth, MAWeymouth Hematologist Doctors for NeutropeniaType of Physician: Hematologist What is a Hematologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine or Pathology; Hematologists treat diseases of the blood, spleen, and lymph glands such as anemia, clotting disorders, sickle cell disease, hemophilia, leukemia, and lymphoma. They perform special types of transfusions and biopsy the bone marrow for analysis. Specialty: Hematology Common Name: Blood Doctor Hematologist Doctors in Weymouth * Commonwealth Oncology  Mattapan Obstetrics & Pediatrics  MGH Cancer Center Chairman  Dana Farber Cancer Institute  Brigham & Women's Hospital Hematology  Children's Hospital Boston Laboratory Medicine  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Infectious Disease  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Hematologic & Malignant Bone Marrow Transplant  Arthur Church MD Weymouth, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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NeutropeniaRead the Neutropenia article » What is neutropenia?"Neutropenia" is a condition in which the number of neutrophils in the bloodstream is decreased. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell also known as polymorphonuclear leukocytes or PMNs. Neutropenia affects the body's ability to fight off infections. White blood cells are also known as leukocytes. There are five major types of white blood cells:
Some white blood cells, called granulocytes, are filled with microscopic granules that are little sacs containing enzymes (compounds that digest microorganisms). Neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils are all granulocytes and are part of the innate immune system with somewhat nonspecific, broad-based activity. They do not respond exclusively to specific antigens, as do the lymphocytes (B-cells and T-cells). Neutrophils contain enzymes that help the cell kill and digest microorganisms it has engulfed by a process known as phagocytosis. The mature neutrophil has a segmented nucleus (it is often called a 'seg' or 'poly'), while the immature neutrophil has a band-shape nucleus (it is called a band). Neutrophils are made in the bone marrow and released into the bloodstream. The neutrophil has a life-span of about three days.
How is neutropenia defined?The white blood cell count (WBC) is the number of white blood cells in a volume of blood. The normal range for the WBC varies slightly among laboratories but is generally between 4,300 and 10,800 cells per microliter or cubic millimeter (cmm). The WBC can also be referred to as the leukocyte count and can be expressed in international units as 4.3 x 109to 10.8 x 109 cells per liter. The percentage of the different types of white blood cells in... Recommended Reading Related to NeutropeniaInfectious mononucleosis (mono) facts
Other Related Neutropenia ArticlesEmergency Contact for Weymouth
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