Anemia
Most chemotherapy regimens target cells that reproduce rapidly. They are aimed at the cancerous cells, but other rapidly reproducing cells such as bone marrow cells and cells that line the gastrointestinal tract get caught in the crossfire. As a result, blood cell counts in the body may drop, leading to anemia. The term “anemia” describes a condition in which the number of red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, is low. This results in a relative decrease in the amount of oxygen that reaches other parts of the body, which can cause fatigue.
Fortunately, in many cases the anemia due to chemotherapy is temporary. After a few weeks, the body’s bone marrow is able to replete the cell counts and function is restored. However, in some cases, damage to the bone marrow may be more long-lasting, and cell counts may remain suppressed. There is also medication that can be used to improve the red cell count in patients on chemotherapy.
Anna L. Kaplan, M.D.