Absolute Neutrophil Count

The Absolut Neutrophil Count or ANC is the total number of neutrophils in your white blood cell count. The lower the ANC the higher the risk of infection. When the ANC drops below 500 the risk of infection is very high.

The ANC is an important number for two reasons:

1) The ANC determines when chemotherapy can be given
2) The ANC determines when you are neutropenic and at risk of infections.