Hi there.
Different cancers have different hematologic manifestations. Leukemia, which is a primary blood cancer will
manifest with frank cancer cells called "blasts" that are freely circulating in the blood.
Solid cancers, on the other hand may affect the blood directly or indirectly. Some form of lung cancers may
produce growth factors that can stimulate abnormal proliferation of white blood cells, while kidney cancers
will produce factors that will stimulate proliferation of the red cells. These are both indirect effects of
cancer. If any form of cancer metastasize to the bone marrow, then the direct presence of the cancer cells in
the bone marrow may impede the usual proliferation of blood cells causing decrease counts in red cells, white
cells, and even platelets.
Every abnormal blood count should have an explanation. Most common causes of white count elevation are
infections elsewhere in the body. Low red cell counts are most commonly due to nutritional deficiencies or
internal bleeding.
Hence, it is always best to seek professional opinion in these situations.
Hope this helps. Take care and God bless.
