since leukocytes and erythrocytes are produced from the same

since leukocytes and erythrocytes are produced from the same precursor cells, predict the change in leukocyte count that might occur in a patient who has an elevated erythrocyte count (polycythemia)?

predict the change in leukocyte count in a patient suffering from leukemia (cancer involving leukotcytes)

Solution

In case of polycythemia i.e. increased RBC count, the patients also suffer from an elevated leucocyte and platelets count. In case of leukemia which is a type of cancer of red bone marrow where WBCs multiply uncontrollably but these WBCs remain abnormal. Continuous formation of WBC causes accumulation of these cancerous cells in the red bone marrow and interferes with the production of RBC, healthy WBC and platelets.