Ways To Treat And Prevent Neutropenia

Neutropenia is a medical condition in which the body has an abnormally low amount of neutrophils. Neutrophils are a form of white blood cells, and having too few of them raises a patient's risk of infection. While neutropenia is rare in the general population, patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer commonly develop it. Sometimes, individuals with neutropenia may not have any symptoms. If symptoms are present, they typically include a fever, mouth ulcers, abscesses, wounds that are slow to heal, and a sore throat. Doctors perform blood tests to check for the absolute neutrophil count to diagnose neutropenia. At least two blood tests taken on different days are required to confirm a neutropenia diagnosis. Other than chemotherapy, common causes of neutropenia include radiation treatment, tuberculosis, leukemia, conditions that affect bone marrow, viral infections, and nutritional deficiencies. The methods outlined below are often recommended in the prevention and treatment of neutropenia.

Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) is a type of growth factor most often used in the treatment of neutropenia for cancer patients. GCSF forces the bone marrow to produce neutrophils, lowering a patient's risk of infection. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is typically given to cancer patients who have just received high doses of chemotherapy, and it is also given to individuals awaiting a stem cell transplant. GCSF is administered via an injection under the skin, which can be given in the arm, stomach, or thigh. Patients may be taught how to administer these injections themselves. For certain patients, doctors may recommend GCSF be given in the clinic as an intravenous drip.

Common side effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor include headaches, bone pain, liver changes, bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, and diarrhea. Less commonly, patients may experience constipation, swollen hands or feet, an enlarged spleen, coughing, and pain while urinating. Patients who receive GCSF will be closely monitored at follow-up appointments and should report any concerns or side effects to their healthcare team.

Continue reading to discover more ways to treat neutropenia.