What Level of Eosinophils Indicate Cancer?

An eosinophil count significantly higher than the normal range (above 500 cells per microliter) may indicate cancer or other serious conditions.

What Are Eosinophils?

Eosinophils are white blood cells involved in fighting infections and allergic reactions.

Normal vs. High Eosinophil Levels

• Normal count: 0 to 500 eosinophils per microliter of blood.
• Eosinophilia: A higher count suggests inflammation, allergies, infections, or sometimes cancer.

Eosinophilia and Cancer

Certain cancers, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, some leukemias, and solid tumors, can cause very high eosinophil levels. This is due to the body's immune response or cancer cells producing substances that increase eosinophils.

When to Be Concerned?

If eosinophil counts are persistently high and unexplained by allergies or infections, doctors may investigate for cancer.

Diagnosis and Tests

Blood tests, bone marrow biopsy, and imaging studies help confirm if cancer is causing high eosinophils.