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Are mild neutrophilia and high TLC a sign of cancer?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have mild absolute neutrophilia and high-end borderline TLC. Can this be a sign of cancer?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Mubashir Razzaq Khan

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr.Mubashir Razzaq Khan is working as a clinical Hematologist for the past 19 years. After completing his MBBS at Punjab Medical College Faisalabad, he did MPhil, Ph.D., and MCPS at Postgraduate Medical Institute Lahore. He treated thousands of patients with Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, Leukemias, Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Thrombosis, Aplastic anemia, Fanconi anemia, and Hereditary disorders. Currently, he is working at Chughtai Medical Center, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I hope you are doing well.

The signs and symptoms associated with neutrophilia are those of infections. Sore throat, skin infection, chest infection, and urogenital infections are common. Moreover, neutrophilia can occur due to stress, steroid use, or hormone therapy. There is nothing to worry about if there is no fever, malaise, or flu. Most people think that a rise in WBC (white blood cells) is related to cancer or leukemia. Please read about leukemia and then make queries, if any.

The word leukemia means white blood cell cancer in the peripheral blood. Leukemia is a relatively old term. Nowadays, it is called hematopoietic and lymphoid neoplasm. A good share of circulating white cells comes from lymphoid tissues such as lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and the rest of the cells come from bone marrow. Lymphoid tissue is present all over the body, even in the intestine, lungs, and liver.

The neoplasms of lymphocyte white blood cells are called lymphomas, which are rarely present in the blood. They are present in lymphoid tissue. However, they do infiltrate blood and bone marrow at some later stages (stage 4 disease). Now, certain neoplasms are arising from bone marrow. They are myeloid or lymphoid leukemias. They are most of the time present in peripheral blood.

In addition, leukemia and lymphoma are not merely the presence of certain types of abnormal cells. It is a whole package comprising anemia, leukopenia or leukocytosis, high ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), thrombocytopenia, unexplained fever, weight loss, arthralgias, and myalgias. These are diagnosed using FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology), bone marrow biopsy, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and radiological surveying. These are treated with chemotherapies selected according to the type of cells involved in lesions. Do not forget to send ratings and feedback in the end.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for your great explanation. But I want to confirm that mild absolute neutrophilia is not cancer.

Is it correct?

Please suggest.

Answered by Dr. Mubashir Razzaq Khan

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr.Mubashir Razzaq Khan is working as a clinical Hematologist for the past 19 years. After completing his MBBS at Punjab Medical College Faisalabad, he did MPhil, Ph.D., and MCPS at Postgraduate Medical Institute Lahore. He treated thousands of patients with Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, Leukemias, Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Thrombosis, Aplastic anemia, Fanconi anemia, and Hereditary disorders. Currently, he is working at Chughtai Medical Center, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Good to see you again.

Yes, you are right. It is not a part of a cancerous process. Stay safe and enjoy life.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. K. Shobana
Published At November 19, 2021
Reviewed At June 26, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr.Mubashir Razzaq Khan is working as a clinical Hematologist for the past 19 years. After completing his MBBS at Punjab Medical College Faisalabad, he did MPhil, Ph.D., and MCPS at Postgraduate Medical Institute Lahore. He treated thousands of patients with Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, Leukemias, Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Thrombosis, Aplastic anemia, Fanconi anemia, and Hereditary disorders. Currently, he is working at Chughtai Medical Center, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. K. Shobana is a Dental Surgeon specializing in oral health and dental care. She is skilled in preventive dentistry and provides oral hygiene education. She can do restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns. She can handle periodontal problems such as gum diseases and periodontitis. She can do root canal treatment.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr.Mubashir Razzaq Khan is working as a clinical Hematologist for the past 19 years. After completing his MBBS at Punjab Medical College Faisalabad, he did MPhil, Ph.D., and MCPS at Postgraduate Medical Institute Lahore. He treated thousands of patients with Anemia, Thrombocytopenia, Leukemias, Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Thrombosis, Aplastic anemia, Fanconi anemia, and Hereditary disorders. Currently, he is working at Chughtai Medical Center, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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