Neutrophils & Cancer Treatment

Neutrophils are a type of white blood cells that contribute to the makeup of the immune system. The immune system is necessary to fight off other diseases while you are undergoing cancer treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation, common cancer treatments, can reduce the number of neutrophils your body produces.

Function

• Neutrophils migrate to areas of infection, consume bacteria, fungi and viruses, and kill the agents they have swallowed by excreting chemicals.

Effects

• A reduction in the number of neutrophils from radiation or chemotherapy causes neutropenia, which can delay the continuation of cancer treatment.

Considerations

• Following cancer treatment, patients with neutropenia are more likely to get common illnesses, such as thrush, which is an overgrowth of yeast. Illnesses are likely to be more severe as well.

Levels

• A normal neutrophil count is 3,000 to 6,000 per mL, according to Cancer Research UK. Another unit of measure is the ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count). When the ANC drops below 1,000, chemotherapy can increase the risk of infection. Treatment is usually suspended until neutrophils increase if ANC levels fall below 500.

Prevention/Solution

• According to the Neutropenia Support Association, a drug like filgrastim can be given before chemotherapy or radiation to stimulate the production of new neutrophils. Levels are higher than normal, which minimizes the loss of neutrophils and protects against infection during and after cancer treatment.