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Reason for low WHITE COUNT after RADIATION for CANCER.

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Hello,

I have written you about this before--but with a different question. After radiation for breast cancer (and chemo) my white count has been low. But I have become especially worried about my lymphocyte count. It is .60.

I know that it is the T-killer cells from the lymphocytes that kill new cancers. Do you think .6 is enough for that??? The doctor told me that my counts might be down for 3 years. I am very much afraid of a whole new, unrelated cancer starting. Or that the old one will be more likely to come back because of this low lymphocyte count.

Also--I have the isolated tumor cells in the bone marrow.  The doctor says that since they are so ER positive that the aromatase inhibitors should get them.  And if not they should remain dormant.  Then, he also said my immune system could get anything that all of that missed.  But I am afraid that with only .6 lymphocytes, there will not be enough to do this. 

My husband says that maybe there are so many lymphocytes required to fight viruses, etc. that this .60 is enough to fight cancer cells, because hopefully there aren't as many of them.

Would really appreciate your thoughts (and hopefully reassurance) on this.

Category: Oncologist

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Dr. Prasad Eswaran
Category: Hematologist
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 30 Doctors Online

Expert:  Dr. Prasad Eswaran
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Hello,
Thanks for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I understand your concern
It is normal to have low lymphocyte count after radiation therapy. Your doctor rightly said that it will be low for three months then gradually it will be back. Please rest assured that these cells and humoral immunity (antibodies in your body) will take care of your fight against remaining cancer cells. Besides you are undergoing AI treatment for residual cancer cells. You don't need to worry.
Feel free to discuss further. Also upload your blood report if you can.
Thank you


Patient replied :

Thank you so much for answering. This is such a complicated question that I had hoped an oncologist (maybe Dr. Eswaran) would answer. It would be great if he could answer this second part of the question: What about a completely NEW cancer? Not connected with breast cancer at all. The AI's wouldn't help with that. Is .6 lymphocytes enough to fight that??? Humoral immunity depends on lymphocytes, as well, right? Are you sure that .6 is enough to keep me safe? I really want to know whether I can trust my immune system to fight any NEW cancers with such a low lymphocyte count? I guess what I really want to know is WHY you think .6 is enough to fight cancer, since it is below the normal range. I'm hoping it is that there are way too many lymphocytes to begin with so that being below normal doesn't matter. Or something like that. My understanding is that there are new random cancer cells forming in your body all the time. Are .6 lymphocytes enough to deal with those? Will I have enough killer cells to kill off completely new cancer cells that are unrelated to the breast cancer? If so, WHY is .6 enough?


Expert:  Dr. Prasad Eswaran
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Dear
This is an usual phenomenon after exposure to chemo & radiation. However, it recovers with good nutrition and exercise and of course, with time, based on an individuals' body make up.
Reg your query on the number of T cells, required to fight cancer cells, nobody knows the answer because it is a complex interaction of many immune cells that play a major role.
Hence the answer would be complex to explain. AI would be sufficient to control the ITCs.
So I would suggest you to have good nutrition and exercise to boost your immunity .
Regards


Patient replied :

Thank you Dr. Eswaran, but do you think that with .6 lymphocytes I have a good chance of fighting any NEW cancers? Or not?


Expert:  Dr. Prasad Eswaran
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Yes. You stand a good chance. There is no doubt about it.
The counts will also improve.

Dr. Prasad Eswaran
Category: Hematologist
Experience: 
Doctorate in Medicine (Fellowship in Oncology), DM,  Madras Medical College & Govt. General Hospital, Chennai, India.

Doctor of Medicine (Residency in Radiation Oncology) , MD, Christian Medical College, Vellore, Tamilnadu, India, 2004-06.

Diploma in Medical Radiology & Therapy (Residency in Radiation Oncology), D.M.R.T, Madras Medical College & Govt. General Hospital, Chennai, India, 2004-06.

Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery - M.B.B.S, Govt. Stanley Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, India, 1998-2004.
Dr. Prasad Eswaran and 4 other Medical Specialists are ready to help you

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