Blood after chemotherapy

Ordinary healthy cells of the human body are divided slowly enough, so they are not so susceptible to oppression by cytostatics - drugs for chemotherapy.

But this does not apply to bone marrow cells that carry the hematopoietic function. They also quickly divide, like malignant cells, so they are destroyed by therapy because of the rapid division rate.

Chemotherapy has serious side effects for the human hematopoietic system. The blood of the patient after the course of chemotherapy is dramatically poorer in its composition. This condition of the patient is called myelosuppression or pancytopenia - a sharp decrease in the blood of all its elements due to a violation of hematopoiesis. This refers to the level of leukocytes, platelets, red blood cells and so on in blood plasma.

Through the flow of blood, chemotherapy drugs are distributed throughout the body and at their final points - the centers of malignant tumors - have a destructive effect on cancer cells. But the same elements are exposed to the blood elements themselves, which become damaged.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]

ESR after chemotherapy

ESR is an indicator of the rate of erythrocyte sedimentation in the blood, which can be determined by performing a general blood test. In deciphering the data on the patient's blood state, the last figure will indicate the level of ESR.

The analysis is carried out as follows: a substance is added to the blood that prevents its coagulation, and the tube is left in an upright position for an hour. Gravity contributes to the deposition of erythrocytes at the bottom of the test tube. After that, the height of the blood plasma of transparent-yellow color is measured, which was formed within an hour - it no longer contains red blood cells.

After the chemotherapy, the ESR of the patient is increased, since a reduced amount of erythrocytes is observed in the blood, which is caused by the defeat of the hematopoietic system of the patient and the pronounced anemia.

[9], [10], [11], [12], [13],

Lymphocytes after chemotherapy

Lymphocytes are one of the leukocyte groups and serve to recognize harmful agents and their detoxification. They are produced in the bone marrow of a person, but actively function in the lymphoid tissue.

The state of the patient after chemotherapy is characterized by so-called lymphopenia, which is expressed in the reduction of lymphocytes in the blood. With an increase in the dose of chemotherapy, the number of lymphocytes in the blood drops dramatically. At the same immunity of the patient also worsens, which makes the patient unprotected for infectious diseases.

Leukocytes after chemotherapy

White blood cells are white blood cells, which are different in appearance and function cells - lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils. First of all, in the human body, leukocytes represent a protective function against pathogenic agents that have an external or internal origin. Therefore, the work of leukocytes is directly related to the level of human immunity and the state of the protective capabilities of its body.

The level of leukocytes in the blood after the course of chemotherapy is sharply reduced. This condition is dangerous for the human body as a whole, because the immunity of the patient falls, and a person becomes exposed to even the most simple infections and harmful microorganisms. Resistance of the patient's body is greatly reduced, which can lead to a sharp deterioration in health.

Therefore, the necessary measure after the previous chemotherapy, is an increase in the level of leukocytes in the blood.

Platelets after chemotherapy

After the course of chemotherapy in the patient's blood, a sharp decrease in the number of platelets called thrombocytopenia is observed. Such a state of blood after the treatment is dangerous for the patient's health, as the platelets affect the coagulation of the blood.

Application of chemotherapy drugs dactinomycin, mutamina and derivatives of nitrosourea very strongly affect platelets.

Reducing the number of platelets in the blood is manifested in the appearance of bruises on the skin, bleeding from the mucous membranes of the nose, gums, and the digestive tract.

Treatment of thrombocytopenia is selected depending on the severity of the disease. Low and medium disease do not need special treatment. But a serious degree of disease, life-threatening, requires the use of transfusion of platelet mass. With a reduced level of platelets in the blood, the next course of chemotherapy may be postponed or the dosage of drugs may decrease.

To increase the level of platelets in the blood, you need to resort to certain measures:

1. Etamsylate or dicinone are drugs that increase blood clotting, not affecting the number of platelets. They are available both in tablets and in injectable solutions.
2. Derinat is a drug created on the basis of salmon nucleic acids, released in droplets or injections.
3. Methyluracil - a drug that improves trophic in the tissues of the human body and promotes the acceleration of regeneration processes.
4. Prednisolone is a drug that is used concomitantly with chemotherapy.
5. Sodecor is a medicinal product created on the basis of a mixture of infusions of herbs. It is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. In this case, it is, in fact, the most effective drug for increasing the level of platelets. Literally, "in front of" - for three to four days of the drug the amount of platelets comes back to normal.
6. It is necessary to take vitamins of group B, vitamin C, preparations of calcium, magnesium and zinc, lysine.
7. The use of nucleic acids in food - red caviar, nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts and pine nuts, almonds), seeds, legumes, sesame seeds and flax, sprouted grains of cereals, fresh shoots of legumes, berries and fruits containing small grains - strawberries, strawberries , figs, blackberries, raspberries, kiwi. Useful also any greens in large quantities, as well as spices - coriander, cloves, saffron.

Hemoglobin after chemotherapy

Consequences of chemotherapy is the inhibition of hemopoiesis, that is, the function of hematopoiesis, which concerns the production of red blood cells. The patient has erythrocytopenia, which is manifested in a low number of red blood cells in the blood, as well as a drop in the level of hemoglobin, resulting in anemia.

The level of hemoglobin in the blood becomes critical, especially after repeated courses of chemotherapy, as well as with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Increasing hemoglobin levels after a previous course of chemotherapy means increasing the chances of patients recovering. Since the level of hemoglobin in the blood directly affects the survival of cancer patients.

Anemia after chemotherapy

Anemia is a sharp decrease in the blood abundance of red cells - erythrocytes, as well as hemoglobin - a protein that is contained in red blood cells. All patients with cancer after chemotherapy undergo anemia of mild or moderate degree. Some patients experience severe anemia.

As it was said above, the cause of anemia is oppression of the functioning of the organs of hematopoiesis, damage to blood cells, which negatively affects the blood formula and its composition.

Symptoms of anemia are:

• the appearance of pale skin and dark circles under the eyes;
• the appearance of weakness in the whole body and increased fatigue;
• occurrence of shortness of breath;
• presence of a strong palpitation or its interruptions - tachycardia.

Anemia in cancer patients after chemotherapy can last for years, which requires the adoption of effective measures for its treatment. Light and medium degree of anemia does not require intensive therapy - it is enough to change the diet and take medications that improve blood composition. At a severe degree of anemia, it is required to resort to blood transfusion or erythrocyte mass, as well as other measures. This was discussed in detail in the sections on increasing the level of erythrocytes and hemoglobin.

[14], [15], [16]

ALT after chemotherapy

ALT - alanine aminotransferase - is a special protein (enzyme) that is located inside the cells of the human body, involved in the exchange of amino acids, of which proteins are composed. ALT is found in the cells of certain organs: in the liver, kidneys, muscles, the heart (in the myocardium - the heart muscle) and the pancreas.

AST - aspartate aminotransferase is a special protein (enzyme) that is also found inside cells of certain organs - the liver, the heart (in the myocardium), muscles, nerve fibers; in a smaller quantity it contains lungs, kidneys and pancreas.

Elevated levels of ALT and AST in the blood indicate the presence of an average or high degree of damage to the organ containing this protein. After the course of chemotherapy, there is an increase in the number of liver enzymes - ALT and AST - in the blood serum. These changes in the results of laboratory studies mean, in the first place, toxic liver damage.

Chemotherapy drugs act depressingly not only on the bone marrow, but also on other organs of hematopoiesis - the spleen and so on. And the more the dose of drugs, the more noticeable are the results of damage to internal organs, as well as the function of hematopoiesis is more strongly inhibited.

[17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22]

How to increase white blood cells after chemotherapy?

Oncological patients often ask themselves: how to increase leukocytes after chemotherapy?

There are several common ways, which include:

1. The use of drugs Granacite and Neupogen, related to drugs with a strong effect; Leukogen preparation, which has an average level of exposure; preparations of Imunofal and Polyoxidonium, possessing sparing influence on the body. Also shown are preparations of granulocyte growth factors - Filgrastim and Lenograstim, which contribute to the stimulation of the production of leukocytes in the bone marrow. In this case, it should be remembered that only a doctor can prescribe the appropriate treatment.
2. Changes in the diet, which require the inclusion in the diet of sick chicken and beef broth, mussels, stewed and baked fish, vegetables - beets, carrots, pumpkins, zucchini.
3. Recommended use of red fish and caviar, as well as in small quantities of natural red wine. All fruits, vegetables and berries of red color are useful.
4. It is useful to eat for breakfast buckwheat with yogurt, which is prepared as follows. In the evening, the necessary amount of cereals is filled with water, in the morning kefir is added to it and the dish can be eaten.
5. Useful qualities are honey, a day it must be eaten twice a day before meals in quantities from forty to sixty grams.
6. It is good to use sprouted chicory and lentils - on a tablespoon twice a day.
7. Tincture of walnuts will also help raise the level of leukocytes. Peeled nuts are put in a glass jar and poured with water. After that, the mixture is insisted on light, but not in direct sunlight, for two weeks, and then transferred to a dark place. Take the tincture you need three times a day for one tablespoon for at least a month.
8. From drinks it is recommended to take a decoction of barley, which is prepared from one and a half glasses of grain, cooked in two liters of water. The liquid is brought to a boil, and then boiled over low heat until it is reduced by half. The broth is drunk half an hour before meals three times a day for fifty milliliters. In it for use and taste, you can add a little honey or sea salt.
9. Oat broth is also good for this purpose. A small saucepan is half filled with washed grain, then poured milk to the top of the tank and brought to a boil. After that, the broth is cooked on the steam bath for twenty minutes. It is taken in small amounts several times a day.
10. Five tablespoons of rose hips are crushed and filled with water in the amount of one liter. Drink is brought to a boil and on a small fire is boiled for another ten minutes. After that, the broth is wrapped and insisted for eight hours. It is taken during the day as a tea.
11. The patient needs to consume a large amount of liquid, which contains a lot of vitamins. Recommended freshly prepared juice, fruit juice, compote, green tea.

How to increase hemoglobin after chemotherapy?

Patients after the course of chemotherapy are puzzled by the question: how to increase hemoglobin after chemotherapy?

Increase hemoglobin levels in the following ways:

1. A certain diet, which must be agreed with the attending physician. Nutrition of the patient should include substances that normalize the composition of blood, namely: iron, folic acid, vitamin B12 and so on. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the fact that the excessive content of these components in food can lead to the accelerated reproduction of malignant cells. Therefore, nutrition of the patient with cancer should be balanced, and the above elements are appointed by the attending physician in the form of medicines.
2. If the level of hemoglobin fell below the mark of 80 g / l, then the specialist is assigned a procedure for transfusion of erythrocyte mass.
3. You can prevent a sharp drop in hemoglobin levels by transfusion of whole blood or erythrocyte mass before chemotherapy. Such a measure is necessary and immediately after the end of the course of treatment. But it must be borne in mind that frequent transfusions of blood (or its constituents) lead to sensitization of the patient's body, which subsequently manifests itself in the occurrence of allergic reactions after the transferred procedure of blood transfusion.
4. Effectively increases the hemoglobin level of erythropoietin. These drugs stimulate the development of red blood cells, which affects the acceleration of hemoglobin production (provided that the body has all the substances necessary for this). With the help of erythropoietins, exposure directly to the bone marrow is selective. The results of the action of the drugs become noticeable after some time after the beginning of its application, therefore it is expedient to prescribe them immediately after the detection of anemia. These medicines are expensive, among them "Eprex" and "Neorekormon" are considered available for our patients.
5. You can use a special "tasty" mixture, which is prepared as follows. Take in equal parts walnuts, dried apricots, raisins, prunes, figs and lemon. Everything is thoroughly crushed in a blender and refueled with honey. This "medicine" is taken one tablespoon three times a day. The mixture is stored in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator.
6. The consumption of greenery, especially parsley, garlic, boiled beef and liver, affects well the hemoglobin level.
7. Freshly prepared juices are good for pomegranate, beetroot, radish juice.
8. It is necessary to use mixtures of fresh juices: beetroot-carrot (per 100 grams of each juice); apple juice (half glass), beet juice (quarter of a glass), carrot juice (a quarter of a glass) - take two times a day on an empty stomach. A mixture of a glass of apple juice, home-made fruit juice from cranberries and a quarter of a glass of beet juice also raises hemoglobin well.