Does neutropenia mean cancer?

Neutropenia is a condition that means that you have lower-than-normal levels of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, in your blood. This might happen due to an infection, but can result from cancer treatment. Avoiding infection is very important.

What does neutropenia mean?

Neutropenia is defined as a lower than normal number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cells). White blood cells are part of the immune system. There are different types of white blood cells, and they each have a key role in the body’s defense against germs: Neutrophils.

What happens if you have neutropenia?

Neutropenia is a blood condition characterized by low levels of neutrophils, which are white blood cells that protect your body from infections. Without enough neutrophils, your body can’t fight off bacteria. Having neutropenia increases your risk for many types of infection.

What infections cause neutropenia?

Viral infections are a common cause of neutropenia, due either to bone marrow suppression or to peripheral destruction. The agents commonly implicated include Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis A and B viruses, parvovirus, Influenzavirus species, and measles.

Can neutropenia go away?

Neutropenia can be caused by some viral infections or certain medications. The neutropenia is most often temporary in these cases. Chronic neutropenia is defined as lasting more than 2 months. It may eventually go away, or remain as a life-long condition.

When should I be worried about low white blood cells?

A low WBC count can be serious because it increases your risk of developing a potentially life-threatening infection. Seek prompt medical care if you have a low WBC count and have signs of an infection, such as a fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, or skin lesions.

Does neutropenia make you tired?

Signs and symptoms of neutropenia Neutropenia itself may not cause any symptoms. People usually find out they have neutropenia from a blood test or when they get an infection. Some people will feel more tired when they have neutropenia.

How do you fix neutropenia?

Approaches for treating neutropenia include:

1. Antibiotics for fever.
2. A treatment called granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).
3. Changing medications, if possible, in cases of drug-induced neutropenia.
4. Granulocyte (white blood cell) transfusion (very uncommon)

What should I eat if I have neutropenia?

What are the foods you can eat on the neutropenic diet?

• All breads, rolls, bagels, English muffins, waffles, French toast, muffins, pancakes, and sweet rolls.
• Potato chips, corn chips, tortilla chips, popcorn, and pretzels.
• Any cooked or ready-to-eat cereal purchased prepackaged from a store.

What does neutropenia stand for in medical category?

By Mayo Clinic Staff. Neutropenia (noo-troe-PEE-nee-uh) occurs when you have too few neutrophils, a type of white blood cells. While all white blood cells help your body fight infections, neutrophils are important for fighting certain infections, especially those caused by bacteria.

Where does neutropenia occur in the human body?

A neutrophil is a type of white blood cell that is produced mainly in the bone marrow. White blood cells in general, and neutrophils in particular, are important for infection control in the body. Neutropenia can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the number of neutrophils in a sample of blood.

Do you have to have a blood test for neutropenia?

People often only find out when they’ve had blood tests done for other reasons. A single blood test showing low levels of neutrophils doesn’t necessarily mean you have neutropenia. These levels can vary from day to day, so if a blood test shows you have neutropenia, it needs to be repeated for confirmation.

What causes low neutropenia count in the blood?

Specific causes include: Chemotherapy. Chronic idiopathic neutropenia in adults. Kostmann’s syndrome (a congenital disorder involving low production of neutrophils) Leukemia and other diseases that damage bone marrow. Myelodysplastic syndromes.