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What are Blasts?

This topic has 8 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 17 years, 10 months ago by bety.

Viewing 9 posts - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)

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July 17, 2006 at 8:20 pm #14030

annette smethers
Member

Even with the Glossary, my light is just not coming on I do not see my plt Dr. till February ..you guys have stirred a lot of questions in me

July 17, 2006 at 8:55 pm #14031

Dennis
Member

Blast Cells – Immature cells that mature into the three types of blood cells. Also called blasts.

D

July 17, 2006 at 9:19 pm #14032

Jerry
Member

Annette …

To amplify on what Dennis said … “In myelodysplastic diseases, the stem cells do not mature into healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets. The immature blood cells, called blasts, do not work the way they should and die in the bone marrow or soon after they enter the blood. As a result, there are fewer healthy red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets”. Hope this helps ….

Jerry

July 18, 2006 at 12:18 am #14033

annette smethers
Member

Thank you Guys, Kinda of what I thought they were but didn’t trust my reasoning enjoy your evening

July 18, 2006 at 5:52 am #14034

bety
Member

How do you know that you have blast cells? My husband’s counts are all very low. He has bone marrow failure. Can he have many blast cells at the same time? When he had a bmb three years ago, his blast cells were less than 5%. As far as I know, he has none circulating in his blood streame. Bety

Husband, 86, pancytopenia, RARS, wbc 1, hg 7, plts 99. Feels well, very pale, dozes a little more than usual…seems normal for his age. He is more active than most men his age. Gets aranesp 300 mcg q2w. May start his first transfusion soon.

July 18, 2006 at 4:07 pm #14035

Jerry
Member

Bety …

The blasts in the bone marrow are diagnosed through a bone marrow biopsy and the blasts in the blood stream can be determined with a blood test. A patient is generally thought to have leukemia when the blasts are greater thasn 20% in the bone marrow. Hope this helps a bit.

Jerry

July 18, 2006 at 8:24 pm #14036

bety
Member

Jerry, thank you for your explanation. I would ask our hematologist more about blasts but I do not want to raise muy husband’s anxiety level or increase his depression. I don’t think this would help his immune system. Thank goodness I have you all to answer my concerns. All the best, Bety

July 18, 2006 at 9:40 pm #14037

covergirl
Member

Bety,
I do understand your not wanting to upset your husband in any way. However, you should consider talking to his HEMO alone to get all of your questions answered directly. As your husbands caregiver, it is imperative you are a part and understand his treatment.

–cheryl

July 19, 2006 at 4:45 am #14038

bety
Member

Cheryl, Thank you for your advice. I had planned to speak to our hemo but was waiting for the time when my husb would have his first blood transfusion. I expect that it will be quite soon. Meanwhile, I have gotten answers to most of my questions while my husb is present. Our hemo speaks quietly, my husb is a little hard of hearing and fortunately, tends to tune out when anything medical is discussed. Hopefully, I will be better informed soon. All the best, Bety
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