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Understanding Neutropenia
Reviewed: December 2006
Causes of Neutropenia
Many different kinds of chemotherapy, some radiation, and some cancers themselves can cause neutropenia. Neutropenia can occur without any complications, meaning your neutrophils can drop low and then return to a normal level without you ever developing an infection. However, the lower your neutrophils drop, the greater the risk of your developing an infection. If you develop an infection your doctor will need to know immediately.
There are many factors that contribute to the development of neutropenia, including the dose of chemotherapy (a higher dose usually causes a lower neutrophil count), the type of chemotherapy (some chemotherapies cause a greater drop in your neutrophils than others) and whether or not you have other problems in addition to cancer, such as HIV infection, etc.
A Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A CBC is a test that the lab does from a sample of your blood. The CBC looks at 3 different types of cells:
- White blood cells (cells that fight infection)
- Red Blood Cells (RBC) (the cells in your body that carry oxygen to the organs and tissues of your body and then carry the carbon dioxide away). When your RBCs are low it is called anemia.
- Platelets are the cells in your body that help your blood to clot. Cancer treatment can make your platelets drop and this is called thrombocytopenia (throm-bow-sigh-toe-pee-niah).
Cancer treatment can make the levels of all three types of cells decrease in your body. When WBC (also known as leukocytes) drop it is known as leukopenia (neutropenia is when the specific type of white blood cells is low, called neutrophils). When your RBCs are low it is called anemia and if platelets drop low it is called thrombocytopenia (throm-bow-sigh-toe-pee-niah).
Risks Associates With Neutropenia
When your neutrophils are low, you have less ability to fight infections. Infections can make you very sick and may cause you to miss your next treatment or need a smaller dose of chemotherapy. Smaller doses or delayed doses can sometimes mean a less effective treatment.
Signs and Symptoms of Infection
You should let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever (often the 1st sign of infection) if over 100.5 degrees F
- Chills
- Sweating
- Cough or shortness of breath
- Sore throat or sores in your mouth
- Redness or swelling around sores on your skin or redness and swelling of your skin
- Loose or liquid stools
- Trouble urinating - increased frequency or burning with urination
- Vaginal drainage or itching
- Flu-like symptoms - body aches, general fatigue
The BC Cancer Agency maintains a database on commonly used unconventional therapies available to cancer patients.
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