Low Blood Count Due To Chemotherapy

Key points about low blood count due to chemotherapy

• a low blood count means having fewer new cells in the blood than is normal
• blood cells are the normal cells most often affected by chemotherapy
• there are 3 main types of blood cells - red cells, white cells and platelets

How does chemotherapy affect blood cells?

A low blood count means having fewer new cells in the blood than is normal.

Blood cells are the normal cells most often affected by chemotherapy. Blood cells form in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is a spongy material that fills the centre of long bones and flat bones. Some chemotherapy medicines slow down blood cell production. This slowing of blood cell and platelet production in bone marrow is called myelosuppression.

What are the different types of blood cells?

There are 3 main types of blood cells:

• red cells
• white cells
• platelets

How long will a low blood count last during my child's cancer treatment?

A drop in the blood cell count usually happens 7 to 10 days after your child starts receiving chemotherapy medicines. It takes about 3 to 4 weeks for the bone marrow to recover after the chemotherapy finishes and for the blood count to return to a near normal level.

How often will my child need blood tests during their cancer treatment?

Your child will have blood tests during chemotherapy to monitor the count levels of the cells. Your child will have blood tests as often as necessary to keep a close check on their blood count. Your child's healthcare team will monitor the results to see whether your child needs any supportive treatment.

The frequency of blood tests can vary from several times a day to several times a week.

For more information about low blood count see:

• Low white cell count and infection​ in chemotherapy
• Low red blood cell count due to chemotherapy
• Low platelet count due to chemotherapy

Read more about side effects of treatment

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