Absolute Lymphocytes Following Radiation For Prostate Cancer

Posted by hector13 @hector13, May 21, 2022

I am looking for anyone who has had similar experience with their bloodwork following radiation treatment after removal of the prostate for cancer. The initial bloodwork after radiation showed a significant drop for red and white blood cells, which is normal. In about 6 months my CBC panel bloodwork showed red and white blood cell counts in the normal range. However, the Absolute Lymphocyte counts have stayed well below the normal range which is 850-3900 cells/uL. It has been 4 years since I completed 40 radiation treatments, and my Absolute Lymphocytes have remained in the 500-650 range. My doctors have no explanation as to why this is the only part of my bloodwork that has not returned to normal, and there apparently is no treatment for low Absolute Lymphocytes. Has anyone else experienced this issue? This is a real concern for me, as I may be going back for a second round of radiation in the near future, and I am worried about the effect on my Absolute Lymphocytes which are related to the immunity system.

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I had salvage radiation in 2019&again last summer. Went to local hematologist for same issue as you described however my WBC itself has been steady in the 3.0-4.0 with the lymphocytes being the culprit. I am at 0.5 with mine with a normal range showing as 1.0-3.5. The rest of the differential numbers were normal. After consistency and not being acutely sick(except for side effects of Lupron) he did not seem too concerned. Just monitor it. Thinks it is probably side effect of the radiation. You may consider seeing an actual hematologist for it. Hope this helps some.

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