What is anc in hematology?

ANC, or Absolute Neutrophil Count, is a measure of the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) present in the blood. It is calculated by multiplying the total white blood cell count by the percentage of neutrophils. ANC is crucial for assessing a patient's immune status, particularly in conditions such as infections or bone marrow disorders, as low levels can indicate an increased risk of infections. Normal ANC values typically range from 1,500 to 8,000 cells per microliter of blood.