White blood cells, also known as leukocytes, are a fundamental part of the body’s immune system, protecting against infections and diseases. These cells circulate throughout the bloodstream and tissues, defending against foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. Prostate cancer, a common malignancy in men, can influence white blood cell counts, though these changes often result from the body’s reaction to the cancer, related health conditions, or, most frequently, treatments.
Prostate Cancer’s Direct Influence on White Blood Cells
Prostate cancer can directly affect white blood cell counts through the body’s natural inflammatory response. The presence of cancer can trigger systemic inflammation, which may lead to a mild elevation in white blood cells, known as leukocytosis. This elevation reflects the immune system’s general reaction to abnormal cells.
In more advanced stages, prostate cancer can spread, or metastasize, to the bone marrow, where all blood cells are produced. When cancer cells infiltrate the bone marrow, they can disrupt normal blood cell production. This disruption may result in either elevated or, less commonly, depressed white blood cell counts, reflecting the cancer’s direct impact on blood cell production. However, significant changes in white blood cell counts solely due to the cancer itself are less frequent than those caused by cancer treatments.
How Cancer Treatments Impact White Blood Cells
Cancer treatments frequently affect white blood cell counts. Chemotherapy, a common treatment for advanced prostate cancer, works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, including healthy bone marrow cells. This effect, called myelosuppression, decreases the production of white blood cell types, particularly neutrophils, resulting in leukopenia or neutropenia. A low neutrophil count can significantly increase the risk of infections, which may require delaying treatment or administering medications to stimulate white blood cell production.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells and can also impact white blood cell counts, especially if large areas of bone marrow are within the treatment field. While modern radiation techniques aim to minimize exposure to healthy tissues, some systemic or localized drops in white blood cells can occur. While some changes might be observed, standard radiation approaches for prostate cancer may not always lead to significant or lasting reductions in white blood cell counts.
Hormone therapy (ADT) lowers male hormone levels that fuel prostate cancer growth. Less direct than chemotherapy, ADT can sometimes lead to subtle changes or mild suppression of white blood cell counts. While ADT can cause a decline in some blood parameters, its effect on white blood cells is minimal. Immunotherapy boosts the immune system to fight cancer and can also influence white blood cell counts. Some immunotherapies may lead to inflammatory responses, elevating certain white blood cell types as the immune system becomes more active against cancer cells.
Interpreting White Blood Cell Counts in Prostate Cancer
White blood cell counts are not typically used to diagnose prostate cancer, but are important for monitoring a patient’s health throughout treatment. Regular blood tests, including a complete blood count, provide valuable information on how the body responds to cancer and its therapies.
Elevated white blood cell counts in a prostate cancer patient could indicate an infection, a common concern with immune-suppressing treatments. They can also signal inflammation or, rarely, advanced disease. Conversely, decreased white blood cell counts are most often a side effect of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, highlighting increased infection risk. Changes in specific types of white blood cells, such as neutrophils (indicating infection risk) or monocytes (sometimes elevated in prostate cancer), provide further clues about the patient’s condition.
When to Discuss White Blood Cell Counts with Your Doctor
Patients undergoing prostate cancer treatment should be aware of potential changes in their white blood cell counts and when to seek medical advice. While healthcare teams regularly monitor these counts through blood tests, symptoms can emerge between appointments. Promptly communicate any new or worsening symptoms to your medical team.
Symptoms suggesting low white blood cell counts include fever (especially over 100.5°F or 38°C), chills, persistent fatigue, or signs of infection like a sore throat, cough, painful urination, or unexplained rashes. Your medical team can guide symptom management and determine if treatment adjustments are necessary.