What is the RBC count typically like in a patient with leukemia?

In patients with leukemia, the red blood cell (RBC) count is typically low, which is referred to as anemia. This is a common hematological abnormality associated with the disease.

Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that often results in the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells. These malignancies can interfere with the bone marrow's ability to produce normal blood cells, including RBCs. As a result, the unregulated growth of leukemic cells effectively crowds out normal hematopoietic (blood-forming) cells, leading to a decrease in the production of healthy red blood cells.

In this context, the body may attempt to compensate for the low RBC count but often fails, resulting in symptoms of fatigue, weakness, and pallor due to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues. This is pivotal in the management and treatment of patients with leukemia, as restoring normal blood counts is a significant goal of treatment interventions. Thus, a low RBC count correlates well with the underlying pathophysiological changes occurring due to the disease.