What Is Chemo-Induced Thrombocytopenia?
Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia is a disorder that develops as an adverse side-effect of chemotherapy. Learn more about thrombocytopenia and its effect on blood cells and platelets.
Transcript: What Is Chemo-Induced Thrombocytopenia?
How Are Blood Cells Produced?
Blood cells are produced in the bone marrow. The three main components of blood are red blood cells (which carry oxygen), white blood cells (or leucocytes which fight infection) and platelets, also called thrombocydes, which assist in the formation of blood clots.What Is a Scab?
When a blood vessel is damaged platelets adhere to the surface of the damaged vessel and release chemicals. These chemicals attract more platelets as well as red blood cells in order to form a clot or thrombus. As the clot grows, the blood vessel narrows thereby decreasing blood loss. This process is called coagulation.What is Thrombocytopenia?
Normal platelet counts are in the range of 150,000 to 350,000 platelets per microleter.Thrombocytopenia is a disorder in which there are not enough platelets. When the platelet count is decreased the body is unable to form blood clots and therefore is unable to control bleeding.
Effects of Thrombocytopenia
Bruising and bleeding can occur from relatively little trauma. When the platelet count gets below 10,000 platelets per microleter bleeding can develop without trauma.Chemo-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia is a disorder that develops as an adverse effect of chemotherapy. Cancer drugs not only kill cancer cells they can also develop the platelet forming cells in the bone marrow. The severity of this disorder depends on the type of chemotherapy and the duration of treatment.Treating Chemo-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Fortunately chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia can be managed with platelet transfusions additional medications such as blood cell growth factors or with blood stem cell transplants.Copyrighted animations provided by Blausen Medical
