Neutropenia (blood disorder)

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Some cancer patients experience a condition called neutropenia during chemotherapy treatments. It involves a severe drop in infection-fighting white blood cells. Patients with a temperature above 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit should contact their doctors immediately because the effects of neutropenia are sometimes life threatening.

To combat neutropenia, doctors may wish to:

• Prescribe pegfilgrastim (Neulasta™) that helps stimulate bone marrow to produce more white blood cells
• Prescribe antibiotic or anti-microbial therapy if an infection has occurred

There are many steps that you can take throughout your day to avoid neutropenia, for example:

• Avoid people with infections, such as the flu or colds
• Clean and cook foods thoroughly
• Avoid situations where minor cuts may occur such as gardening
• Eat a well-balanced diet and drink plenty of fluids