Neutrophils (also known as granulocytes) are white blood cells that primarily fight infection by destroying bacteria and fungi (1). Neutropenia is defined as an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 1500 per microliter (1500/micro) (2). Neutropenia may develop in patients with cancer due to their disease subtype (i.e. leukemias and metastatic cancers) or treatment (i.e. chemotherapy, radiotherapy or bone marrow transplant). 

 

Because individuals with cancer who