neutropenia

(noo-troh-PEE-nee-uh) An abnormal decrease in the number of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell.

(noo-truh-PEE-nee-yuh): An abnormal decrease in a type of white blood cells. The body needs white blood cells to fight disease and infection.

A blood condition caused by a large decrease in a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. This decrease can occur when leukemia cells infiltrate and overcrowd the bone marrow, or during the high- dose chemotherapy regimen administered before a bone marrow transplant.