leukopenia: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / TechnicalScientific / Medical / Formal
Quick answer
What does “leukopenia” mean?
An abnormal decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An abnormal decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood.
A medical condition characterised by a reduced white blood cell count, increasing the risk of infection. It is often a side effect of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or certain diseases like leukaemia or autoimmune disorders.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference in meaning or usage. Spelling: British English often uses 'leucopenia', though 'leukopenia' is also accepted, especially in scientific contexts. American English almost exclusively uses 'leukopenia'.
Connotations
None beyond the technical medical context.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to medical literature and clinical discussion.
Grammar
How to Use “leukopenia” in a Sentence
Leukopenia develops in/after [noun phrase].The patient has/presents with leukopenia.[Treatment/Drug] causes/induces leukopenia.Leukopenia is a common side effect of [treatment].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “leukopenia” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The treatment regimen can leukopeniate some patients.
- The patient leukopeniated following the third cycle.
American English
- The treatment regimen can leukopeniate some patients.
- The patient leukopeniated after the third cycle.
adjective
British English
- The leukopenic patient was placed in protective isolation.
- A leukopenic state requires careful monitoring.
American English
- The leukopenic patient was placed in protective isolation.
- A leukopenic state requires careful monitoring.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical and biological research papers, clinical studies, and pharmacology textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. Might be heard when a doctor explains a chemotherapy side effect to a patient.
Technical
The primary domain. Used in clinical notes, lab reports, hematology, oncology, and internal medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “leukopenia”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “leukopenia”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “leukopenia”
- Confusing 'leukopenia' (deficiency) with 'leukemia' (cancer).
- Misspelling as 'leucopinea' or 'leukopinea'.
- Using it in a non-medical context.
- Assuming it's a standalone disease rather than a symptom or condition.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Leukopenia is a general decrease in all types of white blood cells. Neutropenia is a specific decrease in neutrophils, the most common type of white blood cell. Neutropenia is a form of leukopenia and is often the clinically significant component.
Treatment focuses on the underlying cause. It may resolve if caused by a transient factor like a viral infection or a medication that can be stopped. In cases related to chemotherapy, it is usually temporary and managed with growth factor injections.
There are often no direct symptoms. The condition itself is silent but leads to symptoms of frequent or severe infections, such as fever, chills, sore throat, and mouth ulcers.
It is diagnosed through a complete blood count (CBC), a standard blood test that measures the number of white blood cells per microlitre of blood. A count below the normal range indicates leukopenia.
An abnormal decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood.
Leukopenia is usually scientific / medical / formal in register.
Leukopenia: in British English it is pronounced /ˌluːkə(ʊ)ˈpiːnɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌluːkoʊˈpiːniə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Leuko' (white) + 'penia' (deficiency) = a deficiency of white blood cells.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARMY DEPLETION: The body's defence force (white blood cells) is understaffed, leaving the fortress (body) vulnerable to invaders (pathogens).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary concern associated with leukopenia?