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Myelotoxicity refers to a state where a patient suffers infections (and fever) due to a decrease in white blood cells and neutrophils, easily bleeds due to a decrease in platelets, and/or anemia due to a decrease in red blood cells. Bone marrow is a vital production factory in the human body, where red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets are produced. Bone marrow is one of the body parts with quick-growing cells, and exists at the center of bones; it is frequently found in the skull, breastbones, ribs, spines, and pelvis. These parts store blood cells until they are mature enough and ready to fulfill their important tasks.
Chemotherapy works on bone marrow cells that multiply quickly. Once chemotherapy starts, therefore, the bone marrow function to produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets is inhibited. Myelotoxicity leads to the symptoms of leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, or anemia, which signifies a decrease in white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells, respectively.
Concerning chemotherapy, the term "nadir" (the lowest point) refers to the state where the bodily blood cell counts become the lowest. The nadir is identified by the drugs used in the chemotherapy, and is predictable. For example, with drug A, you will experience the nadir between 7 and 14 days after administration. This means that your white blood cell, red blood cell and platelet counts hit their lowest levels between 7 and 14 days after the start of chemotherapy. After the nadir, your blood cell counts will gradually return to their normal values. Because the position of the nadir differs by treatment and timeline, be sure to confirm on when this point is with your doctor or nurses.
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