Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)
By Susha Cheriyedath, MSc
White blood cells (WBCs) in our body help fight infections. There are various types of WBCs and each has its own way of fighting microbial infections. The most important WBC is called the neutrophil. The number of neutrophils in the blood is expressed as absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and it measures the percentage of neutrophils in the differential WBC count. The ANC of a healthy individual falls in the range of 2,500 to 6,000 per microliter.
A total blood count gives the levels of the three types of blood cells - white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Neutrophils are present in two forms – polys and bands. Polys are also known as segmented neutrophils and are the most …show more content…
Chemotherapy-driven neutropenia can make patients prone to infections and hence needs to be monitored and managed effectively.
Neutrophils are produced in the bone marrow, a spongy tissue present inside large bones in our body. Any factor that hinders the production of neutrophils can cause neutropenia. In addition to leukemia and/ or chemotherapy, factors such as some congenital disorders, myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic idiopathic neutropenia, and vitamin deficiencies can cause neutropenia. Infections such as HIV, Malaria, Hepatitis A, B, and C, Lyme disease, and Salmonella infection can also be a cause of neutropenia. Some autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, and some antibiotics destroy neutrophils and thus may lead to neutropenia.
Neutropenia is usually diagnosed as part of a blood test ordered by the doctor for an existing condition. Once neutropenia is discovered, other tests might be ordered which might reveal the cause of illness. Doctors usually advise some precautions, such as washing hands frequently and wearing a face mask in patients with neutropenia, because they are vulnerable to microbial infections.
Significance of ANC in Cancer
By Susha Cheriyedath, MSc
White blood cells (WBCs) in our body help fight infections. There are various types of WBCs and each has its own way of fighting microbial infections. The most important WBC is called the neutrophil. The number of neutrophils in the blood is expressed as absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and it measures the percentage of neutrophils in the differential WBC count. The ANC of a healthy individual falls in the range of 2,500 to 6,000 per microliter.
A total blood count gives the levels of the three types of blood cells - white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Neutrophils are present in two forms – polys and bands. Polys are also known as segmented neutrophils and are the most …show more content…
Chemotherapy-driven neutropenia can make patients prone to infections and hence needs to be monitored and managed effectively.
Neutrophils are produced in the bone marrow, a spongy tissue present inside large bones in our body. Any factor that hinders the production of neutrophils can cause neutropenia. In addition to leukemia and/ or chemotherapy, factors such as some congenital disorders, myelodysplastic syndromes, chronic idiopathic neutropenia, and vitamin deficiencies can cause neutropenia. Infections such as HIV, Malaria, Hepatitis A, B, and C, Lyme disease, and Salmonella infection can also be a cause of neutropenia. Some autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, and some antibiotics destroy neutrophils and thus may lead to neutropenia.
Neutropenia is usually diagnosed as part of a blood test ordered by the doctor for an existing condition. Once neutropenia is discovered, other tests might be ordered which might reveal the cause of illness. Doctors usually advise some precautions, such as washing hands frequently and wearing a face mask in patients with neutropenia, because they are vulnerable to microbial infections.
Significance of ANC in Cancer