title: The relationship between the absolute granulocyte count, platelet count and total leukocyte count in cancer chemotherapy patients.
abstract: A cohort of 383 patients with a variety of malignancies receiving various chemotherapy programs was analyzed to determine the relationship between the absolute granulocyte count (AGC) and the total leukocyte count (TLC). Specific groups, who were elderly, had proven bone marrow involvement, or were receiving significant doses of prednisone, were studied. The relationship between the TLC and thrombocytopenia was also examined. Results revealed that in all groups there was a correlation between the TLC and the AGC with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.82 to 0.88. Both life-threatening thrombocytopenia and granulocytopenia were rare, providing and TLC was greater than 3.0 x 10(9)/L.
authors.affiliation: Island Medical Laboratories, University of Victoria, Victoria Cancer Clinic, B.C.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Brigden
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Mawji
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Spinelli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000469:parasitology; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010976:Platelet Count; D012044:Regression Analysis