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| Site Navigation | Testing: Blood Counts |
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| Blood cell counts are used during
diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up to determine the health of the patient. Blood
counts cannot by themselves determine whether a person has lymphoma but there are values
that can determine whether everything is fine or if more tests are needed. During
treatment blood counts are very important to determine if that treatment is depleting
healthy blood cells in addition to cancerous cells. Below several types of blood tests are described. There may be additional tests prescribed by your |
Blood Count Quick Jumps CBC |
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medical team. Typical values are
listed as "standard" ranges although these vary and you should consult with your
medical team for complete information. CBC - Complete Blood Count: This is a collection of tests including hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, platelet count, and white blood cell count. RBC - Red Blood Cell (Erythrocyte) Count: the number of red (oxygen carrying) blood cells in a standard amount of blood. The count depends on how you state the values. Typically:
Some other red blood cell values tested: Hgb or HB - Total Hemoglobin Concentration: hemoglobin gives red blood cells their color and carries oxygen. The amount is typically:
This test can help determine the severity of anemia or polycythemia. Hematocrit (or PCV for Packed Cell Volume): the total number of erythrocytes relative to the total volume of blood in the sample. It is written as a fraction or sometimes as a percentage. Typical values are:
Anemia is a low number of red blood cells or reduced hemoglobin. This can cause fatigue, weakness, light-headedness and in the most severe case lead to stroke or heart attack. RBC Indices There are three indices used to measure the size of red blood cells and the amount of hemoglobin in each: MCV - Mean Corpuscular Volume: the volume of red blood cells. Typical values are:
MCH - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin: the amount of hemoglobin in the average cell. Typical range is:
MCHC - Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration: the average concentration of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Typically:
WBC - White Blood Cell Count: the total number of white blood cells (leukocytes) in a standard sample of blood. The count depends on how you state the values. Typically:
Factors such as exercise, stress, and disease can affect these values. A high WBC may indicate infection, leukemia, or tissue damage. There is increased risk of infection if it falls below 1000 cells per microliter. White cell counts are determined by computerized cell counting equipment. The machine determines the total count and the percentages of the five major white cell types. |
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| Cell Type | WBC Percentage | Number per microliter | ||||
| Segmented Neutrophils | 50% to 60% | Total:1160
to 8300 blacks 1700 to 8100 others |
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| Band Neutrophils | 2% | |||||
| Eosinophil | 1% to 4% | 0 to 400 | ||||
| Basophil | 0.5% to 2% | 0 to 200 | ||||
| Lymphocyte | 20% to 40% | 1000 to 4800 | ||||
| Monocyte | 2% to 9% | 200 to 950 | ||||
| Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) is an exact count of neutrophils (also called granulocytes), usually in 1x10-9 liters (microliters or µL). When the number of neutrophils falls below 1.0 (1000 cells per microliter) the condition is called neutropenia. Neutrophils are important for fighting infection and a lack of neutrophils can leave a patient susceptible to infections. Lymphoma treatment can cause neutropenia. Drugs such as G-CFM and GM-CFM may help stimulate neutrophil production. Obesity and smoking increase neutrophil count - for each pack of cigarettes smoked per day the granulocyte count can increase by 1000/µL Lymphocytes are divided into B (bone marrow matured) and T (thymus matured) lymphocytes. If the lymphocyte count falls below 1500 cells per microliter for adults or 3000 cells per microliter in children the condition is called lymphocytopenia. Lymphomas can cause lymphocytopenia. Platelet Count The number of platelets in a standard sample of blood. Typical range:
Platelets (thrombocytes) are cell like particles that stop bleeding by gathering at a site where bleeding is occurring. They then activate and clump together to stop bleeding and promote clotting. Platelet counts increase during strenuous activity and if the patient has a myleoproliferative disorders including infection, inflammation, malignancy, and if the spleen has been removed. An excess number of platelets is called thrombocythemia. Thrombocytopenia occurs if the count falls to below 30000 - abnormal bleeding can occur. Counts below 5000 are life threatening.Blood Count Resources and References
For more information on Hodgkin's Lymphoma, please see the following pages: Adult: [Chemotherapy] [Treatment] [Introduction] For more information on Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, please see the following
pages: :
Adult: [Chemotherapy] [Treatment] [Introduction] The Main Page - gateway to support and more This page is a work in progress - if you have more complete information, references, or other information please contact the author. The author is not in the medical field and does not warrant the correctness of the material on this page or the sites linked - please take online information and consult with your own medical team to make informed decisions. Copyright © 1999-2005 Lymphoma Information
Network - All Rights Reserved |
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