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Oncology (General Cancer)/Difference between and absolute and a relative leukocyte differential
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Question
What is the difference between an absolute and a relative leukocyte differential?
Thank you for your time,
Allison
Dear Allison,
We use a total white blood cell count and an absolute neutrophil count. The total white blood cell count refers to all the white blood cells while the absolute neutrophil count refers to the number of infection fighting cells (neutrophils).
Hope this clarifies the definitions, Meir.
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Oncology (General Cancer)
Answers by Expert:
Meir Wetzler <B>M. D.</B>
Expertise
Leukemia acute and chronic; from chemotherapy to transplantation. Done clinical and translational research on leukemia for the last 10 years at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
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