Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that supports the body’s immune response. It is involved in protecting your body, defending it against parasitic infections, and modulating allergic reactions.
When there is an unusual rise in the levels of eosinophils in the blood, this could be a result of infections, allergic reactions, autoimmune disorders, and certain types of cancers.
Elevated levels of eosinophils do not necessarily indicate that the individual has cancer. The sudden rise in the levels of eosinophils in the context of cancer diagnosis depends on various factors.
Such factors include the specific type of cancer, the patient’s medical history, and other laboratory evaluations.
What are eosinophils?
There is a link between eosinophilia and certain types of cancers such aslymphomas or leukemias. This does not have to be necessarily true in every case, as elevated levels of eosinophils can occur in various conditions.
Eosinophils signify a small portion of the total white blood cell (WBC) in the blood. The function of eosinophils is to defend the body against parasites and modulation of allergic reactions.
It enhances the body’s defense mechanism by preventing foreign elements like parasites or germs from causing infections. Besides,eosinophils can also trigger allergic reactions and asthma.
Symptoms of eosinophils
The increase in eosinophils leads to symptoms like fatigue, rash, swelling, stomach pain, and shortness of breath.
How does get released in the body?
Eosinophils are produced in the soft tissue of the bones (bone marrow). When the bone marrow becomes matured, eosinophils travel to fatty tissue in your body, like your stomach.
Function of eosinophils
Eosinophil cells have small sand-like granules that cause a release of toxic protein, which destroys and consumes foreign objects or infectious pathogens.
Eosinophils strengthen the body’s response to fighting off the invaded pathogens or germs. Its rise in count improves the body’s defensive response.
The infectious pathogens will be effectively fought, and the unwanted growth of organisms on other cells, and lastly, reduce the exposure to allergens.
What is the normal range of eosinophils?
The eosinophil count in the blood must lie between the range of 0 to 500 cells per microliter. This is equivalent to around 1 to 4 % of the white blood cell (WBC) count.
When the levels of eosinophils are around 30 cells per microliter, this is considered too low. This condition is termed eosinopenia. Even when the count is very low, this will not be indicated through symptoms. The person may remain asymptomatic.
Eosinophil counts are considered to be too high, ranging between 450 to 500 cells per microliter. This can be an indication that the immune system is not functioning optimally.
What level of eosinophils hints towards cancer?
High levels of eosinophils in the body do not essentially mean the person has some type of cancer. Most commonly, high eosinophil count has been associated with allergic reactions.
If your eosinophil count is between 0 to 500, it is normal. However, when the count goes higher, this can increase the likelihood of certain types of cancers.
A rise in the levels of eosinophils in the blood can be associated with several health conditions such as parasitic infection, allergic disorders, autoimmune diseases, eosinophilesophagitis, and certain types of cancers.
Types of cancers associated with increased eosinophils
Eosinophilic leukemia
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that affects the body’s ability to fight infection.It affects the WBC. An unusual rise in the levels of eosinophils can be an indication of certain types of leukemia.
A person with high levels of eosinophil count in the body may have chronic or acute eosinophilic leukemia. Both of these cancer types have very rare occurrence.
Note that,eosinophil levels can also be raised in other types of cancers related to the blood and lymph nodes.
Colorectal cancer
Studies have revealed that the presence of numerous eosinophils around colorectal tumors is considered to be a good sign. This hints towards the possibilities of successful treatment.
Eosinophils is a not considered a good sign for Hodgkin lymphoma. The exact reason for this is not fully known yet.
Diagnosis and treatment
For performing diagnostic evaluation of cancer, healthcare providers use several different approaches, which include physical examination, medical history, screenings, and imaging tests such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs, laboratory tests (including blood sample tests and biopsies), and sometimes genetic testing.
If the eosinophil levels go up beyond normal levels, then this can indicate just a possibility of cancer. Remember, this is not necessarily a sign of definitive diagnostic criteria for cancer.