my dad is undergoing tests for leukemia or lymphoma?

Hi,

My 83 year old dad at his routine physical was told that his WBC was 55,000 and that he had leukemia.  He had more blood tests and the report came back that it was possibly Chronic myleoproliferative disease.  Meanwhile, we went for a second opinion.  That dr. ordered a bone marrow biopsy. The results came back inconclusive.  Today my dad is having a gastric ct scan of chest and abdomen.  Are they looking for lymphoma or what?  He presents with fatigue and has a little cough (had for a long time...was told it was related to his cholestral meds).  He was also diagnosed with a low thryoid (like me) and put on levothryoxine.  

I'm confused...just what might they be looking for?  I'm not getting clear answers.

Thanks so much for any help that you can give me.  We are all really worried.  He is generally in great health, even doing well after his second stint in his artieries in fall of 2006.

Regards,

Sean

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

A 55,000 white blood count is really high, and this would raise the suspicion of a possible hematologic malignancy such as that of lymphoma or leukemia, or other myeloproliferative diseases (MPDs)

Leukemias and other MPDs are usually diagnosed through a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy.  But if this is inconclusive, then you may want to talk to his doctors regarding special tests done to the bone marrow aspirate such as a Flow Cytometry, to more accurately show which blood components are abnormal.

High white counts can also be a 'leukemoid' reaction secondary to an infection, or other malignancies such as that of the lungs or the gastrointestinal tract.

Regards.