Low white blood cell counts, a condition known as neutropenia, can result because of bone marrow defects, infection or certain cancers such as leukemia. Neutropenia is frequently associated with the use of chemotherapeutic drugs to treat cancer. Patients on chemotherapy or receiving radiation therapy usually receive a number of different options to prevent low white cell counts and help decrease chances of serious infections.
Antibiotics
Mild, acute neutropenia can result because of an infection. As bacteria, viruses or fungi multiply in the body; they may begin to outnumber disease fighting white blood cells. According to Tirgan Oncology Associates and the National Neutropenia Network, if bacterial infection is the root cause of neutropenia, a course of antibiotics may kill off bacteria and give white cell levels a chance to increase. In cases of viral infections, neutropenia will often resolve itself once the infection has run its course.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids increase the levels of white blood cells in the blood stream. Corticosteroids do not directly act to increase production of white cells. The National Neutropenia Network explains that corticosteroids promote the bone marrow to release more white cells into the blood. While corticosteroids increase the levels of certain white blood cells known as neutrophils in the blood, other subtypes of white blood cells can decrease, causing other infection-type complications.
Splenectomy
An enlargement of the spleen can cause Neutropenia. The spleen is a small, fist sized organ located in the abdomen that plays an important role in the immune system. When the spleen becomes enlarged it can trap blood cells, including white blood cells. According to the Merck Manual, as white blood cells collect in the spleen, they become sequestered from the blood stream and can not fight infection. In rare cases, removal of the spleen or splenectomy may prove necessary to treat neutropenia or another underlying condition.
Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor
The National Neutropenia Network describes Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) as a growth hormone naturally produced by the body. G-CSF acts to signal the bone marrow to produce white blood cells. G-CSF can be administered by infection to raise white cell levels. Reponses to G-CSF vary and may require differing dosages or treatment times, depending on the patient.
Neupogen
Tirgan Oncology Associates explain that Neupogen is a recombinantly manufactured form of G-CSF used to treat neutropenia. Oncologists administer Neupogen and other similar drugs such as Leukine and Neulasta to patients on chemotherapy to prevent white cell decreases and infection. Neupogen is a colorless liquid injected under the skin. Typically found very safe, Neupogen has very few reported side effects.
