david
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Posts:14
Hi, is thrombocytopenia and Armenia at diagnosis of sclc normally an indication of extensive disease and does this influence the type of treatment offered? My platelets are at 120 and red cell count 3.5. I think the platelets should be over 150 and red cells over 4.6. Would my readings be concerning prior to treatment? Thank you for any information you can add. David.
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Reply # - January 10, 2016, 04:43 PM
Hi David,
Hi David,
These types of findings aren't unusual for someone with cancer and aren't suggestive of metastatic spread. Have you had your PET yet? You don't have to answer I'm being nosey.
In this catch 22 situation the anticancer treatment/chemo will help combat the cancer causing low blood count however it also causes low blood count. For this there are treatments that can be used to get you through this. Another catch is not all the treatment benefits are better than the side effects. The link below is a discussion on treatments for low blood counts associated with chemo. Your oncologist will make the call on your treatment choices, blood counts are always a factor and usually stay out of normal ranges throughout. This doesn't mean you'll not get the standard treatment nor does it mean you'll need blood regulating treatments.
This may be helpful in explaining what current thought is to management of blood levels during chemotherapy. http://cancergrace.org/cancer-treatments/2012/04/13/hematopoiesis-and-g…
Keep us posted and good luck,
Janine
Reply # - January 10, 2016, 11:54 PM
Thanks Janine, this is a bit
Thanks Janine, this is a bit reassuring. I was well aware that chemo will impact the blood levels but was worried that they don't look great before treatment.
They took more bloods at the end of last week and I am going up to the hospital today for the results. They have said I will be getting another CT scan not a PET? The doctors at my hospital are going on strike this week so that may have some impact on when I get in.
I had to go in for a CXR which came out clear, so I am hoping that the tumour is small.
Take Care.
David
Reply # - January 11, 2016, 09:01 AM
I'm sorry I misspoke and
I'm sorry I misspoke and meant CT. I think we had that discussion before. PET is normally done only if limited stage is found. In other words before surgery you want to make sure you don't have mets so a PET will be performed to pick up any active areas not caught by CT.
It's good to hear the nodule is to small to show up on an x ray.