HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post - Speculation about chemo-induced anemia (and possibly leukopenia as well)

AlaskaAngel · 04-27-2007, 10:33 AM

I know some prefer to see "just the facts" but I think some speculations are worth sharing. This post is, however, pure speculation on my part.

I have been thinking about Andrea Budin's post about her chemo-induced anemia:

http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin...ad.php?t=27872

In considering Andrea Budin's circumstances (chemo-induced anemia), and reflecting only upon my own experience, I came to speculate that perhaps destruction of cancer cells by chemotherapy might not be solely (or even primarily) what produces sustained remission. I wonder whether there is any evidence of a higher rate of long remissions among those who have even mildly lower blood counts that are sustained.... My theory being, that there would then be perhaps less blood supply to support stray cancer cells in establishing the network for their further development.

If there is truth to that, maybe it would be especially helpful to not use as much of the drugs like Procrit.

Most of us do have chemo-related fatigue, some of which is related to blood counts. But perhaps some of the fatigue is not entirely a bad thing to have....

Any comments are welcome.

AlaskaAngel

04-27-2007, 10:33 AM	#1
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Speculation about chemo-induced anemia (and possibly leukopenia as well) I know some prefer to see "just the facts" but I think some speculations are worth sharing. This post is, however, pure speculation on my part. I have been thinking about Andrea Budin's post about her chemo-induced anemia: http://www.her2support.org/vbulletin...ad.php?t=27872 In considering Andrea Budin's circumstances (chemo-induced anemia), and reflecting only upon my own experience, I came to speculate that perhaps destruction of cancer cells by chemotherapy might not be solely (or even primarily) what produces sustained remission. I wonder whether there is any evidence of a higher rate of long remissions among those who have even mildly lower blood counts that are sustained.... My theory being, that there would then be perhaps less blood supply to support stray cancer cells in establishing the network for their further development. If there is truth to that, maybe it would be especially helpful to not use as much of the drugs like Procrit. Most of us do have chemo-related fatigue, some of which is related to blood counts. But perhaps some of the fatigue is not entirely a bad thing to have.... Any comments are welcome. AlaskaAngel