Chemotherapy - Effect on WBC and Granulocytes


 

The graph illustrates that chemo can deteriorate bone marrow and over time,

between TXs, blood markers do not return to previous levels.  Thus, a continuing

slow deterioration and the slopes of both WBC and GRAN reflect this chemo result.

Some agents are much more detrimental to bone marrow, i.e., the anthracyclines

(Adriamycin, Novantrone).

The take home message is that we cannot get mesmerized just chasing/

Treating PSA.

When we are heavily TXd, we must assure that the whole body is balanced and

perhaps we must allow PSA to rise if the TX will deteriorate our bone marrow to

the extent that we might then be denied any TX.

WBC = white blood cell count.

GRAN = granulocytes: NO treatment if GRAN <2.

Number of weekly taxotere treatments, 42. Only 33 are shown, from

      3/21/01 to 11/9/01.

Number of every 3 week Novantrone treatments, 6 (N1, N2, N3, N4, N5, N6)

      from 1/11/02 to 4/29/02.

Note: The following graph is the actual data from one patient during chemotherapy.  The trend line from N1 to N6 was added to show how the recovery from the treatment minimums lessens with the number of treatments.  Also note that the # GRAN almost always drops below the minimum of 2 required for treatment and the recovery # starts to barely clear the 2 value.