Cancer therapy can lower your blood cell counts and chemotherapy especially can affect rapidly dividing bone marrow cells. This hinders the marrow's ability to supply new cells to the blood during treatment and for some time after. Patients receiving treatment for blood cancer can develop Side effects of anemia include
Most people with a mild or moderate decrease in red cells don't realize they're anemic. However, anemia can become severe if you continue to produce too few red cells. Your doctor may prescribe a red cell growth factor or a blood transfusion for severe anemia to help restore your red cell count. Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are another class of drugs your doctor may use to improve your anemia. ESAs such as epoetin alfa (Epogen®, Procrit®) and darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp®) are synthetic versions of erythropoietin, a hormone produced in the kidneys that stimulates the body to produce red blood cells. ESAs are injected under your skin. Some studies suggest that ESAs may increase the risk for blood clots because they correct anemia too vigorously. Also, in some forms of cancer, the use of an ESA may be associated with a worse outcome. If your doctor prescribes an ESA, you'll be given information and guidelines from the Food and Drug Administration about the drug. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of this therapy. Your doctor may also recommend blood transfusions to raise your blood cell count and alleviate symptoms. If you're given blood transfusions, you're more susceptible to developing iron overload. See Iron Overload for more information. Bleeding and Low Platelet CountsA mild or moderate decrease in platelet counts usually doesn't cause bleeding. However, if you have a severely low platelet count, you may experience:
Once therapy is completed and the platelet count is restored to a sufficient level, these side effects rapidly fade. However, if you need to receive additional treatment and your platelet count remains low, you may need a platelet transfusion. Certain medications can weaken the platelets and worsen bleeding problems as well. Low Platelet Counts: 7 Ways to Avoid ProblemsFollow these tips to help prevent or lessen the effects of low platelet counts:
Infection and Low White Cell CountsA severe or prolonged low white cell count puts you at an increased risk for infection, therefore your doctor may prescribe growth factors that can stimulate your marrow to make new white cells to prevent or reduce infections. The growth factors can also be used to help the marrow recover after marrow transplantation and stem cell transplantation. Growth factors called colony-stimulating growth factors may cause mild bone pain, usually in the lower back or pelvis, about the time the white cells start to come back in the marrow. This mild pain lasts only a few days and your doctor can prescribe a painkiller. Be aware, however, that doctors are cautious when prescribing these medications for people with cancer that involves the bone marrow, because growth factors might stimulate cancer cell growth. Related Links
What causes low red blood count and low hemoglobin?Missing certain vitamins or minerals in the diet because of not eating enough. Low iron levels in blood. Major organ problems (including severe heart, lung, kidney, or liver disease) Red blood cells (RBCs) being destroyed by the body before they're replaced.
At what level is hemoglobin dangerously low?A severe low hemoglobin level for men is 13.5 gm/dL or lower. For women, a severe low hemoglobin level is 12 gm/dL.
Is low red blood count serious?A low RBC count could also indicate a vitamin B6, B12 or folate deficiency. It may also signify internal bleeding, kidney disease or malnutrition (where a person's diet does not contain enough nutrients to meet their body's needs).
What diseases cause low hemoglobin levels?Diseases and conditions that cause your body to produce fewer red blood cells than normal include:. Aplastic anemia.. Cancer.. Certain medications, such as antiretroviral drugs for HIV infection and chemotherapy drugs for cancer and other conditions.. Chronic kidney disease.. Cirrhosis.. Hodgkin's lymphoma (Hodgkin's disease). |