BIOCHEMICAL DATA

Cancer Case

when chemotherapy drugs are used to treat

cancer, due to it slowing the production of
healthy white blood cells.
MEAN CORPUSCULAR VOLUME
NORMAL RANGE
84-96fL

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells

uncontrollably divide within the body and
destroy the bodys tissue1. Cancer is highly
unpredictable in regards to the rate at which
it can spread, however, it can potentially be
slowed, if not destroyed, by receiving
treatment. It is highly important that one get
tested if they feel they are at risk and or if it
runs in the family to catch the disease in its
early stages. Important biochemical lab
values such as: WBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC,
RBC, HGB, and HCT, may assist in cancer
diagnosis or stage identification.
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT
NORMAL RANGE
4.3-10 x 103/mm3

OUR PATIENT
.011000 x 103/mm3

White blood cells primarily function to fight

infections from fungi, viruses, bacteria. and
other pathogens2. When these counts fall
below than the recommended healthy range
of 4.3-10 x 103/mm3, one must find other
alternatives to protect oneself from infection.
A person with cancer will typically have a
low white blood cell count as a result from
the bodys immune system response to fight
the infection, and or when receiving
treatment via radiation or chemotherapy3.
The white blood cell count may also decline

OUR PATIENT
65fL

The mean corpuscular volume, or MCV,

measures the volume of red blood cells4.
Those with cancer tend to see a decrease in
MCV when compared to its normal range of
84-96fL3. This is primarily due to the
infection taking a toll on the body as well as
radiation and chemotherapy treatment.
MEAN CORPUSCULAR
HEMOGLOBIN
NORMAL RANGE
27-34pg

OUR PATIENT
22pg

The mean corpuscular hemoglobin, or MCH,

measures the amount of hemoglobin within
an average cell5. The normal range of MCH
is 27-34pg. If a MCV value is low, one may
be microcytic anemic, and if a MCV value is
high, one may be considered macrocytic
anemic. The image below represents the
difference in relation to the normal size.

When a MCV value is low, so will the MCH

value. This is because if the average cell size
is smaller or larger than normal, it will in turn
carry either less or more hemoglobin than the
red blood cells should, vice versa. Cancer
treatment can contribute to this by effecting
the MCV, thus in turn impacting the MCH.

MEAN CORPUSCULAR
HEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION
NORMAL RANGE
31.5% to 36%.

OUR PATIENT
21%

The mean corpuscular hemoglobin

concentration, or MCHC, measures the
concentration of hemoglobin in the bodys
red blood cells4. The normal range for
MCHC falls between 31.5% to 36%. In an
individual who has cancer, the MCHC levels
tend to be low, just as MCV and MCH, due
to cancer treatment and stage.
OUR PATIENT LAB VALUES
WBC COUNT
Our patient has a WBC count of 0.011000 x
103/mm3, which is very low compared to the
lower normal range of 4.3 x 103/mm3, as seen
in healthier individuals. This lab values
indicates that her immune system is
compromised, coinciding with her diagnosis
of stage 11 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.
Her WBCs are low in relation to the
diagnosis, as well as her chemotherapy
treatments.
MCV
Our patient has a MCV of 65fL, which is low
compared to the lower normal range of 84fL.
This lab value indicates that our patients red
blood cells are smaller than average. It also
serves as a good indication of blood loss due
to her lymphoma, causing a lack of
hemoglobin, thus oxygen to the tissues.
MCH
Our patient has a MCH value of 22pg, which
is low compared to the lower normal range of
27pg. This lab value indicates that our patient
is carrying less hemoglobin than what is
typically recommended. Due to her low
MCV level it can be expected that her MCH
value would in turn decline as well.

MCHC
Our patient has a MCHC of 21%, which is
low compared to the lower normal range of
31.5%. This lab value indicates that our
patient has a low hemoglobin concentration
in the bodys red blood cells. This is due to
the patients red blood cells carrying less
hemoglobin than what is typically
recommended as a result from a low MCV.
OTHER
Red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and
hematocrit levels may also serve as potential
indicators of a cancer patient5. These values
are all incredibly important due to the nature
of cancer and its impact on the body
following treatment. The red blood cells are
immediately affected upon radiation and
chemotherapy, and are expected to decline
during such time.
REFERENCES
1.

National Cancer Institute. (2015). What Is Cancer? [cgvArticle]. Retrieved

October 31, 2016, from https://www.cancer.gov/aboutcancer/understanding/what-is-cancer

2.

MedlinePlus. (2015). Low white blood cell count and cancer: MedlinePlus
Medical Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 31, 2016, from
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000675.htm

3.

MayoClinic. (2014). Low blood cell counts: Side effect of cancer treatment
- Mayo Clinic. Retrieved October 31, 2016, from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancertreatment/art-20046192

4.

The University of Iowa. (2016, July 2). The Complete Blood Count: A
Guide for Patients with Cancer. Retrieved October 31, 2016, from
https://uihc.org/health-library/complete-blood-count-guide-patients-cancer

5.

NURWEB.BIZ. (2013, October 14). Understanding LAB Results for

cancer treatment -. Retrieved November 1, 2016, from
http://www.nurweb.biz/understanding-lab-results-cancer-treatment/