neutropenia pronounced noo-troh-pee-nee-uh is a decrease in the number of white blood cells. chemotherapy drugs work by killing fast-growing cells in the body. this means these drugs kill cancer cells as well as healthy white blood cells. since white blood cells are the body’s main defense against infection this means you are at an increased risk for getting an infection while you have neutropenia. i also suggest that you visit www. preventcancerinfections. org to learn more about your risk for developing neutropenia during your chemotherapy. many times neutropenia produces little symptomology and is only diagnosed through other unrelated serum blood testing. neutropenia is an abnormal low number of neutrophils. neutrophils are a form of white blood cells that help the immune system to fight-off infections. the bone marrow produces these cells which release chemicals when the body is being attacked by bacteria such as caused by wounds. your bone marrow creates these cells. they then travel in your bloodstream and move to areas of infection. they release chemicals to kill invading microorganisms. during chemotherapy interference with the bone marrow’s ability to produce neutrophils may occur resulting in even more intense neutropenia. treatment of neutropenia is directed at its cause such as eliminating certain medications (antibiotics psychiatric drugs & antiepileptic meds etc. ) and other causes. it is advisable to control the neutropenia before starting chemotherapy. i wish you well on your journey to renewed health.
i'm due for my next round of chemotherapy but just learned i have neutropenia. what is this and what does it mean?