Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is a measure of the number of neutrophil granulocytes^[1] (also known as polymorphonuclear cells, PMN's, polys, granulocytes, segmented neutrophils or segs) present in the blood. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cell that fights against infection.

The ANC is calculated from measurements of the total number of white blood cells (WBC), usually based on the combined percentage of mature neutrophils (sometimes called "segs," or segmented cells) and bands, which are immature neutrophils.

Contents 1 Clinical significance 2 Calculation 3 Ranges 4 Related tests 5 References

[edit] Clinical significance

A normal ANC is above 1,500 cells per microliter. An ANC less than 500 cells/µL is defined as neutropenia and significantly increases the risk of infection. Neutropenia is the condition of a low ANC, and the most common condition where an ANC would be measured is in the setting of chemotherapy for cancer. Neutropenia increases the risk of infection.

Neutrophilia indicates an elevated count.

[edit] Calculation

The unit of ANC is cells per microlitre (abbreviated µL; a microlitre is equal to one cubic millimetre) of blood.

[edit] Ranges

NCI Risk Category	ANC
0	Within normal limits
1	≥1500 - <2000/mm³
2	≥1000 - <1500/mm³
3	≥500 - <1000/mm³
4	< 500/mm³

Source: NCI CTC Toxicity scale Version 2.0 [1]

[edit] Related tests

In some cases, a ratio is reported in addition to the sum. This is known as the "I/T ratio"^[2] (or "I:T ratio").^[3]

[edit] References

v • d • e Medical test: Serology, reference range: blood tests Clinical biochemistry Metabolic panel BMP: electrolytes (Na+/K+, Cl-/HCO3-) · renal function, BUN-to-creatinine ratio (BUN/Creatinine) · Glucose · Ca CMP: BMP + protein tests (Human serum albumin, Serum total protein) · liver function tests (ALP, ALT, AST, Bilirubin) derived values: Plasma osmolality · Serum osmolal gap Acid-base homeostasis Arterial blood gas · Base excess · Anion gap · CO2 content Iron tests Transferrin saturation = Serum iron / Total iron-binding capacity Ferritin · Transferrin · Transferrin receptor Blood sugar Glucose test · Glucose tolerance test · Glycemia · Noninvasive glucose · C-peptide · Fructosamine · Random glucose test · Glycosylated hemoglobin Endocrine ACTH stimulation test · Thyroid function tests Cardiac marker Troponin test · CPK-MB test · Glycogen phosphorylase isoenzyme BB Other Beutler test · Blood lipids · Tumor marker Hematology/CBC Clotting vWF: Ristocetin induced platelet agglutination clotting factors: Prothrombin time · Partial thromboplastin time · Thrombin time other/general coagulation: Bleeding time · animal enzyme (Reptilase time, Ecarin clotting time, Dilute Russell's viper venom time) · Thromboelastography fibrinolysis: Euglobulin lysis time · D-dimer Red blood cell indices Hematocrit · Hemoglobin · RBC count ratios: Mean corpuscular hemoglobin · Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration · Mean corpuscular volume Fetal hemoglobin: Apt-Downey test · Kleihauer-Betke test · Red blood cell distribution width Reticulocyte index · Haptoglobin Other Blood film · Blood viscosity · Absolute neutrophil count Immunology Infections viral infection: HIV (HIV test, BDNA test) · Epstein-Barr virus (Monospot test) bacterial infection: syphilis (VDRL, Rapid plasma reagin, Wassermann test, FTA-ABS) · rickettsia (Weil-Felix test) · helicobacter (HelicoCARE direct) · streptococcus (Antistreptolysin O titre) protozoan infection: toxoplasmosis (Sabin-Feldman dye test) Inflammation C-reactive protein · Erythrocyte sedimentation rate · MELISA · RAST test see also reference ranges for blood tests