How to understand bone marrow suppression after chemotherapy through laboratory test results

How to understand bone marrow suppression after chemotherapy through test results.

Chemotherapy is one of the treatments for many malignant tumors and is also the cornerstone. However, it is undeniable that the side effects of chemotherapy are usually unbearable for patients. The side effects caused by chemotherapy mainly include gastrointestinal reactions, bone marrow suppression, liver and kidney toxicity, allergic reactions, etc. Sometimes bone marrow suppression is silent, but sometimes it can lead to serious consequences.

When patients get blood test results after the first chemotherapy, they will feel anxious and nervous if they see that many indicators are not within the normal range. Today we will tell you how to read blood test results, when to contact a doctor, and when you can adjust and solve the problem yourself.

First of all, we need to understand the four main components of the blood system: white blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets. White blood cells have the following components: neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. For bone marrow suppression after chemotherapy, we need to focus on the total number of white blood cells, neutrophil counts, red blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets.

Secondly, understand the normal reference values ​​of total white blood cell count, neutrophil count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin and platelets. The reference values ​​of total white blood cell count are (4-10) x109/L, neutrophil count (2-7) x109/L, red blood cell count (3.5-5.5) x1012/L, and hemoglobin (110-160) g/L. Of course, you need to refer to the reference range of each hospital.

How do you know if your bone marrow suppression is serious? Bone marrow suppression is divided into 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 degrees, with 4 being the most serious.

Level 0 is the normal range: white blood cells ≥4.0×109/L, neutrophils ≥2.0×109/L, hemoglobin ≥110 g/L, and platelets ≥100×109/L.

Level 1: WBC 3.0～3.9×109/L, neutrophil 1.5～1.9×109/L, hemoglobin 90～109 g/L, platelets (75～99)×109/L.

Level 2: White blood cells 2.0-2.9×109/L, neutrophils 1.0-1.4×109/L, hemoglobin 60-89 g/L, platelets 50-74×109/L.

Grade 3: WBC 1.0～1.9×109/L, neutrophil 0.5～0.9×109/L, hemoglobin 30～59 g/L, platelet 25～49×109/L.

Level 4: WBC <1.0×109/L, neutrophil <0.5×109/L, hemoglobin