Radiation's Unwanted Effect on Neutrophils and Lymphocytes

Mstein1970

I'm about to start radiation therapy after the removal of a small but aggressive tumor, and I'm concerned about published research showing that radiation therapy has a destructive effect on the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio. My blood tests over recent months show that my neutrophil count is already going up in relation to my lymphocyte count. That's worrisome, because neutrophils enable metastasis, lymphocytes fight tumors, and a high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio has been linked to a poor overall prognosis.

Has anyone else dealt with this issue? I understand the need to kill any remaining remaining cancer cells in the breast, but it seems that, at the same time, radiation therapy may have a bad systemic effect -- suppressing the immune system and possibly helping the cancer spread to places like the lungs.

coraleliz

My ratio was high before I got BC. It went even higher during radiation. It's still on the high side. I started a thread earlier this year on NLR. You might want to take a look.

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topics...

Hard to know what it might mean for each of us individually.

Mstein1970

Thank you, coraleliz. The thread's links to relevant studies are helpful.

Have your doctors paid attention to this? I was initially told my recent blood test was fine, even though it indicated a substantial rapid rise in the ratio.

coraleliz

I was going to ask my MO about this in September. I had an appointment to see him at that time. He up & retired in July. Since I was completing my endocrine therapy(Tamoxifen), it was determined that i wouldn't need to find another MO. My BS alone will follow me(until she retires I guess). I really don't have a physician to ask. My MO response to my questions about my low WBCs was "it's your lymphocytes bringing them down". I'm wondering if my counts might change now that I'm off of Tamoxifen.

VLH

I still have 10 Taxol treatments to go before radiation, but my pre-surgical ratio was over 4 so this is an added worry along with a history of cellulitis plus very large breasts and a left-side tumor. :-(

Lyn

CCtoo

I feel the same way about rads harming immune system and Causing cancer!!! What does high monocytes and lymphocytes mean on blood test?

doxie

I have the same very high neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio I had before BC, over 4.5:1. Radiation didn't effect this in the least. Nothing seems to change it. I would love to bring up the lymphocytes. Except for BC, I'm very healthy and may only get a cold once each year or two. Anyone have luck improving a chronic low level of lymphocytes.