myelocytic

Myelocytic refers to something relating to or derived from myelocytes. Myelocytes are immature white blood cells of the granulocyte and monocyte lineages that are found in the bone marrow. They are precursors to mature granulocytes such as neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils, and also to monocytes.

The term myelocytic is often used in the context of leukemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Myeloid leukemia, also known as myelogenous leukemia, is a cancer of the myeloid line of blood cells. This is in contrast to lymphoid leukemia, which affects the lymphoid line. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rapidly progressing cancer where immature myeloid cells, called myeloblasts, build up in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a slower progressing cancer that also involves the myeloid cells.

The development of white blood cells, including myelocytes, is a complex process regulated by various growth factors and signaling pathways. When this process is disrupted, it can lead to the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal cells, resulting in conditions like myelocytic leukemia. Diagnosis and treatment of myelocytic disorders depend on the specific type and stage of the disease and often involve chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or stem cell transplantation.