High white bloood cell count

[Rita67]

I have AML and am taking chemotherapy.  However, as of the last 2 months, my white blood cell count escalates about 5 weeks after my chemo was last taken.  I am developing lumps in my legs and arms which hurt, swells and turns red.  They seem to go and come, but find this extraordinarily strange.  I need to know if I should take chemo every 4 weeks instead of every 6 weeks as this would prevent my white blood count to escalate to these levels.
My blood test this week had a WBC rading of 84.4.  Can this affect the veins in my legs and arms and cause them to
swell up?  

Thank you.

Rita Scallan

[Rita67]

Thank you very much for your response,  This has been most helpful as we are now meeting with my doctor to review my options and increasing the frequency of my chemotherapy.

Best regards

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

A high white blood count can cause a hyperviscosity syndrome where in blood flow through your veins and arteries may become sluggish and may cause these symptoms that you are experiencing.  Leukemic cells deposition in the subcutaneous areas can also be felt as lumps underneath the skin.

I believe that your chemotherapy regimen or the frequency for which it is being given should be reviewed by you and your doctor, as the optimal treatment strategy for AML (or any malignancy for that matter) is to not allow cancer cells to recover.

Regards.