What Level of Eosinophils Indicates Cancer?

What Eosinophil Level Indicates Cancer? Causes, Signs & Diagnosis

Eosinophil is a type of white blood cell that responds to the body's immune system against allergens, parasites, and certain infections. The normal level of these white blood cells is below 500/µL µL of blood. However, a level of eosinophils above this level continues to persist, along with other symptoms that might be indicative of some serious condition, such as cancer.

What is an Eosinophil?

It is a granule-containing white blood cell that reacts to fight any disease-causing foreign substance that enters your body. Out of all the white blood cells, eosinophils are 1-4% of them. They play a significant role in dealing with allergic reactions, fighting viruses, fungi, bacteria, and so on.   

What Causes High Eosinophils?

Several factors may be responsible for a high eosinophil level. A few are listed hereunder:

• Alcohol intoxication
• Allergies
• Leukaemia
• Parasitic Infection
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Overproduction of cortisol

What are the Symptoms of Eosinophil Condition?

Eosinophilic conditions often showcase their symptoms in the region where the disorder persists. Here are some symptoms that are common amongst people experiencing this condition:

• Rash
• Fatigue
• Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
• Pus-filled bumps on your skin
• Inflammation or swelling

What Level of Eosinophils Indicates Cancer?

Having a high level of eosinophils does not necessarily indicate the possibility of cancer. The most common reason for an increase in the level of eosinophils is allergic reasons. Therefore, an eosinophil level falling outside the range of 500/µL of blood requires further investigation to identify the reason behind such an increase.

However, here are a few ways through which eosinophils can relate to the development of cancerous cells:

1. Eosinophils and Eosinophilic Leukaemia

Leukaemia is a white blood cell cancer. In such a type of leukaemia, raised eosinophils are the main feature. It also includes chronic and acute eosinophilic leukaemia. However, both of these types of cancers are extremely rare.

2. Eosinophils and Colorectal Cancer

In a study, it was found that numerous eosinophils in the same region as colorectal tumours increase the chances of a successful treatment. Tumour-associated tissue eosinophilia is the name of the effect. It is a position sign in the treatment of cancer of the oesophagus, prostate, larynx, and bladder.

What is the Treatment for High Eosinophil Count?

The treatment that experts recommend for high eosinophil levels depends on the severity of the issue and its region. Here is a list of ways through which doctors attempt to control high eosinophil count:

• Avoiding overly fatty, spicy, and acidic foods.
• Requesting the medical expert to change the medication if it is causing reactions.
• Taking medication for anti-inflammatory issues.

In most cases, high eosinophil conditions are chronic and require continuous treatment along with management.