Chemotherapy and Neutropenia
Chemotherapy is a common cancer treatment that uses strong drugs to kill cancer cells. However, it can also cause side effects that affect other cells in your body. One of these side effects is called neutropenia.
Neutropenia means having a low number of neutrophils, which are white blood cells that help fight infections. Neutrophils are a key part of the immune system, and when someone has neutropenia, their body is more likely to get infections.
- The signs and symptoms of neutropenia are usually not noticeable, although some people might feel tired. Most people only find out they have neutropenia after a blood test. The longer neutropenia lasts and the lower the neutrophil count, the higher the risk of infection.
- Chemotherapy can cause neutropenia as a side effect because it affects the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Chemotherapy drugs can damage the bone marrow and lower the production of neutrophils, which are important for fighting infections.
- There are several options for treating neutropenia caused by chemotherapy. In some cases, doctors may need to adjust the chemotherapy by delaying the next round or lowering the dose if neutropenia occurs. However, changing the treatment might make chemotherapy less effective, so it's important to discuss this with a doctor.
- If a person's neutrophil count stays low for a long time, a doctor may recommend taking antibiotics to prevent infection. They may also prescribe medications called granulocyte colony-stimulating factors (G-CSFs). These medications help the body produce more white blood cells. These medicines are not given to everyone with neutropenia because they can cause side effects such as bone pain and fever.
- Most cases of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia go away on their own after chemotherapy ends and don’t need special treatment. But if a person's immune system is very weak, extra steps might be needed to prevent infections while waiting for neutrophil levels to rise.
If you have any symptoms or concerns about neutropenia or other side effect of chemotherapy, it's important to talk with your doctor. They can provide personalized advice and decide the best way to help you.
Medication dosing may be affected by many factors. Check with your health care professional about dosing for your individual situation. Other side effects can occur. Check with your health care professional or read the information provided with your medication for additional side effect information.