You are the surgical house officer and you are managing a 49 year old male who was admitted for an elective left hemicolectomy for colorectal cancer.  He has a past medical history of hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia.  He is an ex-smoker of 18 months.  Post operatively he suffers from pneumonia which is treated with antibiotics.  You are worried about his full blood count and the surgical registrar recommends a haematology referral.

• Hb 91g/L
• MCV 88fL
• WCC 14.2×10*9/L
• Neutrophils 12.2×10*9/L
• Platelets 657×10*9/L

Questions:

• What are your thoughts?
• What else would you do?
• Further information needed?
• If you were the haematology registrar what would you advise?

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