Teardrop cells are associated with which of the following conditions?

Teardrop cells, also known as dacryocytes, are often indicative of specific pathological conditions where the bone marrow is infiltrated or displaced, affecting the normal production and morphology of red blood cells. They are formed when red blood cells are squeezed through fibrotic tissue or in response to abnormal environments in the bone marrow.

The presence of teardrop cells is most commonly associated with myelofibrosis and metastatic marrow infiltration. Myelofibrosis is a type of chronic bone marrow disorder that can lead to scarring of the bone marrow (fibrosis), resulting in abnormal blood cell production and shapes. In cases of metastatic infiltration, tumors from other parts of the body spread to the marrow, disrupting normal hematopoiesis, leading to the characteristic distortion of red blood cells, including the formation of teardrop shapes.

In contrast, the other conditions listed do not typically feature teardrop cells as a hallmark. Iron deficiency anemia usually presents with microcytic red blood cells and does not lead to the formation of teardrop cells. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia are characterized by other cellular changes in the blood and bone marrow but are not primarily associated with the presence of teardrop cells. Therefore,