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Cancer (Expert Forum)
CBC results - cancer indicator?
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CBC results - cancer indicator?
by congo74, Jun 16, 2009 04:52PM
Hi Dr.
I'm going to apologize upfront if this question seems very elementary. I'm 34 year old male. Consider myself healthy, non-smoker, limited alcohol intake, exercises. No family history of cancer.
I have gotten into my head that I "might" have some kind of cancer. Is it possible that blood work, CBC can serve as a red flag for possible cancer? I'm "puzzled" by my recent CBC and other blood work numbers which have been as follow:
2009/April (no fastening):
WBC - 9.5
RBC - 5.27
ESR - 0
Platelet: 233
2009/June (did fast)
WBC - 5.4
RBC - 4.64
ESR - 1
CEA - 1.6
Platelet: 200
2005:
WBC - 6.9
RBC - 5.05
Platelets - 260
Should I be concerned about the changes in WBC/CBC numbers and the ESR as it relates to cancer?
Thanks for your time.
I'm going to apologize upfront if this question seems very elementary. I'm 34 year old male. Consider myself healthy, non-smoker, limited alcohol intake, exercises. No family history of cancer.
I have gotten into my head that I "might" have some kind of cancer. Is it possible that blood work, CBC can serve as a red flag for possible cancer? I'm "puzzled" by my recent CBC and other blood work numbers which have been as follow:
2009/April (no fastening):
WBC - 9.5
RBC - 5.27
ESR - 0
Platelet: 233
2009/June (did fast)
WBC - 5.4
RBC - 4.64
ESR - 1
CEA - 1.6
Platelet: 200
2005:
WBC - 6.9
RBC - 5.05
Platelets - 260
Should I be concerned about the changes in WBC/CBC numbers and the ESR as it relates to cancer?
Thanks for your time.
Doctor's Answer
by Monica M, MD, Jun 17, 2009 12:42PM
, Jun 17, 2009 12:42PMTo: congo74
Hi,
Your counts are essentially normal. There is a normal range for the blood cells counts and it is ok as long as your counts are within this range. The body constantly produces new blood cells and destroys old ones, so their numbers may fluctuate but as long as they are in the normal range there is nothing to be worried about. The numbers may be altered in various conditions including infections. A CBC usually cannot diagnose cancer and it may be normal in many cancers. CBC may be deranged in blood cancers and a few other malignancies. In your case there seems to be nothing to be worried about as far as your CBC is concerned.
Take care and God bless!
Your counts are essentially normal. There is a normal range for the blood cells counts and it is ok as long as your counts are within this range. The body constantly produces new blood cells and destroys old ones, so their numbers may fluctuate but as long as they are in the normal range there is nothing to be worried about. The numbers may be altered in various conditions including infections. A CBC usually cannot diagnose cancer and it may be normal in many cancers. CBC may be deranged in blood cancers and a few other malignancies. In your case there seems to be nothing to be worried about as far as your CBC is concerned.
Take care and God bless!
Member Comments (2)
by congo74, Jun 17, 2009 03:02PM
To: Monica M, MD
Thank you!
