Intro

[Wimco]

I am 75 years old and has been diagnosied with CLL. My WBC is around 17000 a and am on wait and watch. Can I go for tooth extraction

[GMa27]

It should be fine. Check with ur hematologist & let oral surgeon know that you have CLL.

[AussieNeil Partner Founder Admin]

Hi Wimco and welcome to our community,

When we have CLL, it compromises our immune system in various ways. With respect to surgery, it suppresses our bone marrow production of neutrophils and platelets, which are our primary and first means of defense against infection and how we stop bleeding respectively. Treatment drugs can further accentuate this. So sometimes we may need additional prophylactic support of a high dose of antibiotics prior to dental surgery if we are neutropenic (low neutrophil count).

If you have your blood test results at hand, there's a section called the differential, where the individual counts of all your different white blood cell types are reported. Just check the absolute counts, not the percentages. Your neutrophil count should normally be above around 1.8 to 2.0, depending on your blood testing laboratory.

Likewise your platelets should be above around 150, depending on your laboratory. It's still possible to have safe surgery with a lower platelet count, but it depends on what medications and supplements you are taking. That's why you really need to ask your doctor about what, if anything, you should have ahead of your tooth extraction. Provided you first take any necessary precautions (and none may be needed), you should be able to have your tooth extracted safely.

Neil

[RZ8983DV]

Tell the dentist you have CLL. As Aussie Nel said you might need extra prophylactics if your platelets or neutrophils are low. I had a tooth extracted with WBC a nd Lymph counts twice your level but but my platelets and neutrophils are still OKDave

[CoachVera55]

My Oncologist from the beginning would prescribe a one time 2,000mg dose of a Cepalosporin since I have so many drug allergies prior to a dental cleaning. But also because I have 2 Total Knee Replacements. This was my protocol 14yrs ago when I was first diagnosed at 43yrs old, not sure what they recommend now.