Can the elevated WBC counts after chemotherapy be a blood cancer?

Question

Hi doctor,

My father has pancreatic cancer. Now he continues chemotherapy. His WBC blood count after the first chemotherapy was below 4000 per microliter. Now he has completed the second chemotherapy. His WBC result after the second chemotherapy is 11600 per microliter. Is it blood cancer?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I thoroughly read your query and understand your concern.

You have nothing to worry about as WBC (white blood cell) ranges between 4.5 to 11 thousand per microliter. So it is mildly raised, which can be due to a number of factors:

1. It may be because he received growth factors Filgrastim along with chemotherapy which can increase WBC and neutrophils.

2. It can be an early indication of an infection. For example, if he is suffering from fever, cough, burning micturition, loose motions, etc., WBC may rise.

3. Another possibility is that it can be a result of the disease itself, for example, due to paraneoplastic syndrome (when the tumor secrets some enzymes), which can increase the WBC. So your doctor will monitor his CBC count on a weekly based.

Hope this helps.

Thanks and regards.