Platelets are the cells in blood that help it to clot. When you get a scrape or a cut, platelets rush to the site of the wound and help to stop the bleeding. Chemotherapy, however, can reduce your platelet count, putting you at risk for increased bleeding. There are several ways to reduce the risk.
What Chemotherapy Does
Chemotherapy targets cells that reproduce rapidly in the body, such as cancerous cells. Chemotherapy drugs kill these cells with the aim of stopping the cancer from spreading. However, these drugs also kill healthy cells that reproduce rapidly, which can harm the patient in other ways.
Chemotherapy and Blood Platelets
The bone marrow that produces blood platelets reproduces very rapidly. Therefore, chemotherapy drugs tend to destroy bone marrow cells. Because bone marrow creates platelets, chemotherapy can reduce the number of platelets in the body. And because blood platelets help your blood to clot, this reduction can cause complications.
Chemo-Induced Thrombocytopenia
If you experience thrombocytopenia, you may bleed more easily than normal. When you bleed, you may lose an excessive amount of blood or be unable to stop the bleeding at all. In addition, your chemotherapy treatment cycles may have to be postponed or minimized if your platelet count is too low.
Lowering the Risk
You can lower your risk of excessive bleeding because of a low platelet count in several ways. Try to avoid any exercise or activity (e.g., running, cutting foods, playing sports) that can cause scrapes or cuts. In addition, use a toothbrush with soft bristles to prevent gums from bleeding and shave with an electric razor.
Possible Treatment
If your platelet count is egregiously low, your doctor may recommend platelet transfusions. A platelet transfusion would add platelets from someone else to your body. However, this treatment can be accompanied by serious complications, such as infection or transmitted diseases.
Tags: platelet count, bone marrow, your platelet, your platelet count, cells that, cells that reproduce