| ANC (Absolute Neutrophil Count) : Neutrophils are the key component in the system of defense against infection. An absence or scarcity of neutrophils makes a person vulnerable to infection. After chemotherapy and stem cell transplant (rescue), the ANC usually depressed and then rises, reflecting the fact that the bone marrow is recovering and the new cells are beginning to grow and mature. An ANC below 1000 means a person is at risk for infection. The lower it goes the more at risk, so an ANC of zero means Paige has no defense from her immune system. |