Susceptibility to Infections
Myelosuppression (damage to the bone marrow) can also damage white blood cells, the soldiers of the immune system. One result is a condition called neutropenia, the loss of immune system first responders called neutrophils, which can leave you more susceptible to infections. Chemotherapy can also lead to loss of the immune system’s antibody-producing B cells, which can weaken immune function and responses to vaccines. Neutrophil counts generally start to fall several days after the start of each chemotherapy cycle. During these times, the best defense is extreme caution to avoid exposure to infections. In some cases, doctors may prescribe drugs known as colony-stimulating factors, which stimulate white blood cell production. Another type of drug, a kinase inhibitor, may be prescribed prior to chemotherapy for small-cell lung cancer to protect bone marrow and prevent myelosuppression.
