An eosinophil count above the normal range, specifically more than 500 cells per microliter, can sometimes be associated with cancer, especially if persistent and accompanied by other symptoms. However, there is no specific eosinophil level that definitively indicates cancer
. Eosinophilia (elevated eosinophils) can occur in various cancers such as eosinophilic leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas (colorectal, gastric), lung cancer, squamous epithelial cancers, and thyroid cancer. The increase in eosinophils may reflect the body's immune response to the tumor rather than a direct marker of cancer presence
. Normal eosinophil counts range from about 100 to 500 cells per microliter. Mild eosinophilia is often considered between 500 and 1,500 cells/μL, moderate between 1,500 and 5,000 cells/μL, and severe above 5,000 cells/μL, but these thresholds are not cancer-specific
. In summary:
- Eosinophil count >500 cells/μL may warrant further investigation if persistent.
- No distinct eosinophil count alone confirms cancer.
- Elevated eosinophils can be due to many causes, including allergies and infections.
- Diagnosis of cancer requires comprehensive clinical evaluation beyond eosinophil levels.
Therefore, elevated eosinophils can be a clue but are not a standalone diagnostic indicator of cancer
