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Absolute Neutrophil Count

The total number of neutrophils in a sample of peripheral blood.  It is calculated by multiplying the percentage of neutrophils (in decimal form) plus the percentage of bands (in decimal form) by the total number of white blood cells.  The number of bands is usually quite low or even zero, so one may also obtain a fairly accurate ANC by leaving the percent of bands out of the equation.  ANC of less than 1 k/ul may indicate stoppage of Gleevec therapy to allow the neutrophil counts to recover.  Low ANC puts the patient at risk of infection since there is now less of the white blood cells that fight infections in the body. (neutrophils)

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