Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesLymphocytes and CancerHigh LymphocytesLow LymphocytesPrognostic Indicator
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Lymphocytes and Cancer
High Lymphocytes
Low Lymphocytes
Prognostic Indicator
Certainwhite blood cellsare classified aslymphocytes. Types of lymphocytes includeB cells, T cells, and NK cells. They are involved in the immune system’s memory to give you long-lasting immunity against viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens (infectious organisms) you have been exposed to.
Your approximate number of lymphocytes can be measured with a blood test. High levels or low levels can be temporary responses to minor health issues, like a mild infection or a medication side effect.
Prolonged or major changes in the number of lymphocytes can indicate serious medical problems, such as cancer orAIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
Ed Reschke / Getty Images
Lymphocyte Types and Function
The two main categories of lymphocytes are B cells and T cells.B cells makeantibodies, which are proteins that bind toantigens(molecules that may be present on invading organisms, foreign substances, or cancer cells) so that they can be destroyed.
Many of the body’s T cells release material to destroy harmful pathogens (organisms like bacteria, viruses, or fungi that cause disease).
NK cells (also called natural killer cells) are a type of lymphocyte that can release chemicals to kill tumor cells or cells containing viruses.
There are several subcategories of T cells:
There are also several types of B cells:
Lymphocytes and antibodies work together, along with other white blood cells that are not lymphocytes.
Lymphocytes: Normal vs. Dangerous Levels
Lymphocyte Production and Maturation
Blood cells, including lymphocytes, are produced in the bone marrow. Immature B cells mature in the bone marrow. Immature T cells mature in thethymus, an organ in the neck.
Normally, some T cells and B cells circulate in the blood, and some circulate in thelymphatic vessels, a group of vessels that extends throughout the body and communicates with blood circulation.
When these immune cells are needed to fight an infection, they increase in number as the body releases more lymphocytes, and they can often be found in larger than normal numbers at the site of infection and in the circulation.
How Lymphocytes Are Measured
For certain conditions, specialized lymphocyte testing can be done. To monitor human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment response,CD4 blood countsare measured.
Abone marrow biopsymay evaluate the number of developing lymphocytes, as well as any abnormalities in their structure—which can be present with cancer.
The number and function of lymphocytes can be affected in some types of hematological (blood cell) cancers, such as leukemias. A decrease in lymphocyte number and function can also be secondary to the use of cancer treatments like chemotherapy.
Types of changes in lymphocytes associated with cancer include:
Some of the blood cell cancers that are commonly associated with a high number of lymphocytes include:
The diagnosis of any of these types of blood cancer is based on the number of lymphocytes, as well as their microscopic appearance. Typically, when someone has blood cancer, the body produces an excess number of one or more types of white blood cells that do not function normally. There’s not a specific level of lymphocytes that always indicates cancer.
Along with excessive white blood cell production, there may also be a deficiency in other white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets (cells involved with blood clotting).
Blood Cancer Effects on Cell CountsBlood cell cancers characteristically can cause some white blood cells to be elevated and others to be too low.
Blood Cancer Effects on Cell Counts
Blood cell cancers characteristically can cause some white blood cells to be elevated and others to be too low.
Causes of High Lymphocytes
Typically, elevated lymphocytes are a sign of an infection.This can be seen in certain types of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.This is generally a brief response to an infection as your body fights the pathogen so that you can recover.
Autoimmune diseasesand allergic reactions may cause lymphocytes to increase occasionally.
Sometimes a high number of lymphocytes means there is a serious medical issue.One of the most concerning causes of an elevated number of lymphocytes is cancer.
Causes of Low Lymphocytes
Medications associated with low lymphocytes include corticosteroids, immune suppressants like methotrexate,anti-inflammatories like Azulfidine (sulfasalazine), chemotherapy, and many more.
Conditions commonly associated with low lymphocytes include:
Additionally, autoimmune diseases can cause high or low lymphocytes. The treatment of many autoimmune conditions can cause low lymphocytes as well.
Lymphocytes as a Prognostic Indicator
Sometimes the lymphocyte count can be a sign that a medical condition is likely to worsen or improve. For example, a high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a poor prognostic factor in many advanced malignancies, and often the ratio is increased due to a decrease in the lymphocyte number.
Also, the lymphocyte distribution in the tumor (number and location) may also predict whether certain treatments are likely to be effective or not. For example, the location on the center or periphery of a tumor and the type of lymphocytic infiltration can be used to calculate an immune score that is an important prognostic factor in stage 2 colorectal cancer.
Summary
Lymphocytes are a class of white blood cell. They include several types of T cells and B cells that make different kinds of antibodies. Lymphocytes are involved in the memory of your immune system, which means that they will give you lasting protection if you have a repeated exposure to an infectious organism.
There are many different causes of high or low lymphocytes. Usually, just one or a few types of lymphocytes are high or low, rather than all of them. Temporarily elevated lymphocytes can occur due to an infection or medication side effect.
Usually, blood cell cancer involves abnormal appearance of the lymphocytes rather than just a high number. The lymphocyte numbers can fluctuate with chronic conditions like recurrent allergies and autoimmune diseases.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Human Genome Research Institute.Lymphocyte.National Cancer Institute.NK cell.Ujjani CS, Gooley TA, Spurgeon SE.Diminished humoral and cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Blood Adv. 2022:bloodadvances.2022009164. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2022009164Kanno H, Hisaka T, Fujiyoshi K, Akiba J, Hashimoto K, Fujita F, Akagi Y.Prognostic significance of the histopathological growth pattern and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in stratifying survival after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases.Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 Dec 15. doi:10.1245/s10434-022-12905-2American Cancer Society.What is Hodgkin lymphoma?Cortegano I, Rodríguez M, Hernángómez S, et al.Age-dependent nasal immune responses in non-hospitalized bronchiolitis children.Frontiers in Immunology.2022;13:1011607. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1011607Hamad H, Mangla A.Lymphocytosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Manfrè V, Chatzis LG, Cafaro G, Fonzetti S, et alSjögren’s syndrome: one year in review 2022.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2022;40(12):2211-2224. doi:10.55563/clinexprheumatol/43z8guMa LY, Liu ZQ, Chen WF, et al.A cross-sectional study reveals a chronic low-grade inflammation in achalasia.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Dec 21. doi:10.1111/jgh.16091Bakker DS, Garritsen FM, Leavis HL, et al.Lymphopenia in atopic dermatitis patients treated with oral immunosuppressive drugs.J Dermatolog Treat. 2018;29(7):682-687. doi:10.1080/09546634.2018.145161National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Lymphopenia causes and risk factors.Zahorec R.Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, past, present and future perspectives.Bratisl Lek Listy. 2021;122(7):474-488. doi:10.4149/BLL_2021_078
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Human Genome Research Institute.Lymphocyte.National Cancer Institute.NK cell.Ujjani CS, Gooley TA, Spurgeon SE.Diminished humoral and cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Blood Adv. 2022:bloodadvances.2022009164. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2022009164Kanno H, Hisaka T, Fujiyoshi K, Akiba J, Hashimoto K, Fujita F, Akagi Y.Prognostic significance of the histopathological growth pattern and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in stratifying survival after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases.Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 Dec 15. doi:10.1245/s10434-022-12905-2American Cancer Society.What is Hodgkin lymphoma?Cortegano I, Rodríguez M, Hernángómez S, et al.Age-dependent nasal immune responses in non-hospitalized bronchiolitis children.Frontiers in Immunology.2022;13:1011607. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1011607Hamad H, Mangla A.Lymphocytosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Manfrè V, Chatzis LG, Cafaro G, Fonzetti S, et alSjögren’s syndrome: one year in review 2022.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2022;40(12):2211-2224. doi:10.55563/clinexprheumatol/43z8guMa LY, Liu ZQ, Chen WF, et al.A cross-sectional study reveals a chronic low-grade inflammation in achalasia.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Dec 21. doi:10.1111/jgh.16091Bakker DS, Garritsen FM, Leavis HL, et al.Lymphopenia in atopic dermatitis patients treated with oral immunosuppressive drugs.J Dermatolog Treat. 2018;29(7):682-687. doi:10.1080/09546634.2018.145161National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Lymphopenia causes and risk factors.Zahorec R.Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, past, present and future perspectives.Bratisl Lek Listy. 2021;122(7):474-488. doi:10.4149/BLL_2021_078
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Human Genome Research Institute.Lymphocyte.National Cancer Institute.NK cell.Ujjani CS, Gooley TA, Spurgeon SE.Diminished humoral and cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Blood Adv. 2022:bloodadvances.2022009164. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2022009164Kanno H, Hisaka T, Fujiyoshi K, Akiba J, Hashimoto K, Fujita F, Akagi Y.Prognostic significance of the histopathological growth pattern and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in stratifying survival after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases.Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 Dec 15. doi:10.1245/s10434-022-12905-2American Cancer Society.What is Hodgkin lymphoma?Cortegano I, Rodríguez M, Hernángómez S, et al.Age-dependent nasal immune responses in non-hospitalized bronchiolitis children.Frontiers in Immunology.2022;13:1011607. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1011607Hamad H, Mangla A.Lymphocytosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Manfrè V, Chatzis LG, Cafaro G, Fonzetti S, et alSjögren’s syndrome: one year in review 2022.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2022;40(12):2211-2224. doi:10.55563/clinexprheumatol/43z8guMa LY, Liu ZQ, Chen WF, et al.A cross-sectional study reveals a chronic low-grade inflammation in achalasia.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Dec 21. doi:10.1111/jgh.16091Bakker DS, Garritsen FM, Leavis HL, et al.Lymphopenia in atopic dermatitis patients treated with oral immunosuppressive drugs.J Dermatolog Treat. 2018;29(7):682-687. doi:10.1080/09546634.2018.145161National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Lymphopenia causes and risk factors.Zahorec R.Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, past, present and future perspectives.Bratisl Lek Listy. 2021;122(7):474-488. doi:10.4149/BLL_2021_078
National Human Genome Research Institute.Lymphocyte.
National Cancer Institute.NK cell.
Ujjani CS, Gooley TA, Spurgeon SE.Diminished humoral and cellular responses to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.Blood Adv. 2022:bloodadvances.2022009164. doi:10.1182/bloodadvances.2022009164
Kanno H, Hisaka T, Fujiyoshi K, Akiba J, Hashimoto K, Fujita F, Akagi Y.Prognostic significance of the histopathological growth pattern and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in stratifying survival after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases.Ann Surg Oncol. 2022 Dec 15. doi:10.1245/s10434-022-12905-2
American Cancer Society.What is Hodgkin lymphoma?
Cortegano I, Rodríguez M, Hernángómez S, et al.Age-dependent nasal immune responses in non-hospitalized bronchiolitis children.Frontiers in Immunology.2022;13:1011607. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.1011607
Hamad H, Mangla A.Lymphocytosis. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Manfrè V, Chatzis LG, Cafaro G, Fonzetti S, et alSjögren’s syndrome: one year in review 2022.Clin Exp Rheumatol.2022;40(12):2211-2224. doi:10.55563/clinexprheumatol/43z8gu
Ma LY, Liu ZQ, Chen WF, et al.A cross-sectional study reveals a chronic low-grade inflammation in achalasia.J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Dec 21. doi:10.1111/jgh.16091
Bakker DS, Garritsen FM, Leavis HL, et al.Lymphopenia in atopic dermatitis patients treated with oral immunosuppressive drugs.J Dermatolog Treat. 2018;29(7):682-687. doi:10.1080/09546634.2018.145161
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Lymphopenia causes and risk factors.
Zahorec R.Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, past, present and future perspectives.Bratisl Lek Listy. 2021;122(7):474-488. doi:10.4149/BLL_2021_078
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