Afraid of Leukemia

[sueboy]

I am a 53 year old female.  I am worried about having a lymphoma, leukemia or tonsil cancer.  
My symptoms started suddenly last Saturday.  I noticed a left ear ache when swallowing.  It became quite severe. I had been boating a lot in the wind so thought it was from that. No fever.  Woke up Monday morning and felt worse.  Looked in throat-red and left side looked swollen.  Went to PCP and he said tonsillitis, pharyngitis. Temp was 99.4 but haven't had any temp since.  Taking Tylenol/Advil around the clock for discomfort.  Put on Azithromycin and Zovirax (in case there were any cankers behind tonsil that he couldn't see).  Also had routine blood drawn for upcoming physical.   Got results yesterday.  Wbc 14.3 and Abs Neuts 12.18. The remaining CBC was completely normal.  Throat/ear is still very sore at times and still red.   Finished antibiotic yesterday   Possibly slightly improved.  Does this sound like just a throat infection or something more serious?  Please advice.

[Ken_PA]

Hi, nothing sounds like a blood cancer here. Neutrophils going high is probably due a bacterial infection from some water that got in your ear. Maybe you can call your doc and ask if another round of Azithromycin is wise, or maybe there's a different antibiotic to try.

Since the antiviral didn't help and your lymphocytes (which fight viruses) aren't high, it's probably not a virus.

Having a WBC at 14 is just the usual elevation for an infection. Besides, AFAIK a leukemia of neutrophils is rare.

Do you have a life history of getting lots of infections?

[sueboy]

Thanks for your response. No I haven't had an infection in quite a few years.  Actually today it feels much better but throat still red and slightly swollen.   Hopefully I'm on the road to full recovery.   The rest of my CBC was normal.  

[Ken_PA]

Better even more today? If so, it will probably end itself. Btw, bacteria in the inner ear can go through the Eustachian tube into the throat.

[sueboy]

No pain today. Throat still red but swelling is better.  Ear was clear when Dr checked. I'm assuming just referred pain from throat.