Neutropenia: chemotherapy risks

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Find out more about chemotherapy and different side effects associated with chemotherapy...




	By understanding the most common chemotherapy side effects—and by taking action to protect against possible outcomes—the chance of experiencing some serious side effects may be decreased. Chemotherapy drugs may be given orally or by intravenous (IV) infusion (dripping medicine through a tube into a vein). If chemotherapy is given by infusion, your patient will receive treatment at the hospital or outpatient chemotherapy clinic. Typically, patients can relax comfortably in a reclining chair and read, watch TV, or listen to music while treatment is given. Treatment times can vary from less than 1 hour to several hours depending on the type of therapy being given. The most common side effects of chemotherapy include neutropenia (a low white blood cell count), anemia (a low red blood cell count), thrombocytopenia (a low blood platelet count), nausea, and hair loss. The risk for infection increases when there are too few white blood cells resulting from some types of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can lower the number of any or all three types of blood cells. White blood cells are one of three main types of blood cells. The other two are red blood cells and platelets.
		White blood cells kill bacteria that invade your body and can cause infections. Patients with lower-than-normal white blood cell counts have a weaker immune system, and have an increased risk for infection. White blood cell boosters are available to help reduce the risk of chemotherapy-related infection for patients needing strong chemotherapy.
		Red blood cells contain hemoglobin (HEE-moh-glow-bin), or Hb, a protein that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s muscles and organs. A lower-than-normal hemoglobin level results in anemia (ah-NEE-mee-ah). If a patient is diagnosed with anemia while receiving chemotherapy, two available treatments are red blood cell transfusions and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), which stimulate the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.
		Platelets plug leaks in blood vessels to help stop bleeding. A lower-than-normal platelet count is called thrombocytopenia (THROM-boh-site-oh-peen-ee-ah). If platelet counts become low enough, treatment with platelet transfusions may be necessary. Occasionally, patients require hospitalization until the platelets return to sufficient levels in the blood to prevent bleeding.

		While any patient receiving chemotherapy is potentially at risk for developing infection related to low white blood cells, certain people are at higher risk:

		Patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy (chemotherapy that decreases the number of blood cells).
		Patients with open wounds or active tissue infections.
		Patients with cardiovascular disease.
		Patients with advanced or uncontrolled cancer.
		Patients confined to bed or chair 50% or more of the time.
		Patients 65 and older are at high risk for infection, and more severe infections, and longer hospitalization.
		Patients who already have prior low white blood cell counts, or who have previously received chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
		Patients with other conditions affecting their immune system.

		Continue to Protecting against Infection


	Neulasta^® (pegfilgrastim) is prescribed to reduce the risk of infection (initially marked by fever) in patients with some tumors receiving strong chemotherapy that decreases the number of infection-fighting white blood cells. Important product safety information Ruptured spleen (including fatal cases), serious allergic reactions, and a serious lung problem called acute respiratory distress syndrome have been reported. Call your doctor or seek emergency care right away if you have abdominal or shoulder tip pain, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, a fast rate of breathing, or any allergic reaction. The most common side effect of this injection is mild to moderate bone pain. If you have any questions about this information, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. By My Side™ - Caregiver Resource. ^® 2008 Amgen All rights reserved. Amgen.com \| Neulasta.com \| Neupogen.com \| Vectibix.com Terms of Use \| Privacy Statement \| Site Map