Chemotherapy drugs are designed to attack fast-growing cancer cell. However, chemotherapy drugs not only affect cancer cells, but normal cells as well. Because blood cells multiply rapidly just like cancer cells, they are damaged during chemotherapy treatment. Affected cells include red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Low Red Blood Cells
When chemotherapy damages red blood cells, the lower counts are referred to as anemia. Anemia causes fatigue, shortness of breath, pale skin, dizziness and nausea. Chemocare.com lists Procrit and Aranesp as medications that boost production of red blood cells. "The Chemotherapy Source Book" reports that Aranesp and Procrit increase the rate of maturation of red blood cells. Side effects are similar for both drugs, and include fatigue, joint pain, swelling of hands and feet, headache, nausea, dizziness and fever.
Low White Blood Cells
Neutropenia refers to a lowered white blood cell count commonly caused by chemotherapy administration. The American Cancer Society states that neutropenia increases the risk of infection. Medications used to treat neutropenia include Neupogen, Neulasta and Leukine. These medications increase the production of young white blood cells, as well as increase the maturation of cells. Chemocare.com states that there are no common side effects to these neutropenia treatments. Side effects that occurred less than 30 percent of the time include bone pain, sore injection site and abnormal blood tests.
Low Platelets
Thormbocytopenia refers to low platelet counts in the blood. Platelets comprise a part of the blood that aids in clotting when bleeding occurs. Low platelet counts increased the risk for bleeding and bruising. Neumega, also known as Interleukin 11, works by maturing young platelet cells. "The Chemotherapy Source Book" reports that Neumega reduced the need for platelet tranfusions by 30 percent in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Neumega side effects include swelling of hands and feet, nausea, mouth sores, diarrhea and shortness of breath.
References
- "The Chemotherapy Source Book"; Michael C. Perry, Ph.D.; 2007
- Chemocare.com: Low Blood Counts
- American Cancer Society: Blood Counts
