This ANC calculator estimates the absolute neutrophil count to assess various conditions such as neutropenic fever. Discover more on this subject below the form.
How does this ANC calculator work?
This health tool estimates the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) which is often used in chemotherapy to assess patient’s neutropenic fever. This ANC calculator requires you to input the percentage of Neutrophils, the one of Bands and the White Blood Cell Count (WBC). Please note that the While Blood Cell should be specified as measured in the labs for instance input 7.3 for 7300 white blood cells per cubic millimeter of blood.
The ANC formula used is the one below:
ANC = White Blood Cell Count *(Neutropholis + Bands) * 10.
The calculator will not only display the value in neutrophils per cubic millimeter but also the level interpretation which is a status of Neutropenia.
Example calculation
Neutrophils % = 50
Bands %= 10
White Blood Cell Count =8.0
Result:
- Absolute Neutrophil Count = 4800 cells/mm3
- ANC level interpretation: normal value
ANC levels and interpretation
ANC is an indicator that is not measured directly but is derived from the WBC count multiplied by the percent of neutrophils in the differential count. The percent consists of both the segmented, mature and the bands, almost mature neutrophils.
■ ANC greater than or equal to 1500 neutrophils per cubic millimeter indicates a normal value.
■ ANC greater than or equal to 1000 neutrophils per cubic millimeter but smaller than 1500 neutrophils per cubic millimeter indicates a mild neutropenia.
■ ANC greater than or equal to 500 neutrophils per cubic millimeter but smaller than 1000 neutrophils per cubic millimeter indicates a moderate neutropenia.
■ ANC smaller than 500 neutrophils per cubic millimeter indicates a severe neutropenia.
What are neutrophils?
These are key components in the defense system along with the other WBCs (lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils) and their absence or scarcity makes us vulnerable to pathogen agents. What they basically do is phagocytosis which is the process in which they digest microorganisms.
Their levels can be depressed after chemotherapy or radiation and they rise slowly usually because the marrow needs time to mature and release them in the blood stream.
Acute infections and trauma stimulate their release and elevate the overall WBC count but one of the common problems incurred in such situations is that the neutrophils released might not be completely matured and are realeased in the form of bands, the incompletely matured version.
Why is knowing the ANC beneficial?
1. It reflects the immunological status (especially in chemotherapy situations).
2. This is a predictor of subsequent neutropenic fever.
3. Indicator in beginning new treatments (antibiotics).
4. Monitoring parameter for bone marrow suppression.
5. Shows whether the patient is a candidate for treatments with growth factors.
Reference
Al-Gwaiz LA, Babay HH. (2007) The diagnostic value of absolute neutrophil count, band count and morphologic changes of neutrophils in predicting bacterial infections. Med Princ Pract. 16(5):344-7
20 Jan, 2015