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Neutropenia

By Lynne Eldridge MD, About.com

Updated January 16, 2009

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Definition: A decrease in one type of white blood cells called neutrophils. In lung cancer, neutropenia usually occurs as a side effect of chemotherapy.

Neutrophils are the bodies first line of defense against bacterial infections, and their absence makes one more susceptible to developing a bacterial infection.
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