What are neutrophils and neutropenia?
Neutrophils make up the majority of WBCs and are formed in the bone marrow. They are the “first responders” and quickly appear at the site of infection, ingesting and destroying foreign particles. They can be found in the pus of a wound and play a role in acute inflammation (redness, warmth, swelling, and pain). A normal neutrophil count (also called absolute neutrophil count or ANC) is between 2500 and 5000. A low neutrophil count is known as neutropenia. Neutropenia can be caused by a congenital or inherited disorder, or can be a side effect of a medication or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy medications are the most common cause of neutropenia, but other medications can also cause neutropenia, including (but not limited to): sulfonamides (Bactrim), allopurinol, ibuprofen, indomethasone, several types of antibiotics, blood pressure and anti-seizure medications. For the purposes of this article, we will only discuss neutropenia caused by cancer therapies. Mature neutrophils are sometim
