New to me

ShadyGuy
ShadyGuy Member Posts: 902 Member
edited March 2021 in Lymphoma (Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin) #1

While reading my latest summary from a major cancer center I came upon a new (to me at least) word. "Pancytopenia caused by chemotherapy". From what I can tell it is a type of anemia in which wbc, rbc and platelets are all low. Has anyone rlse had this diagnosis and if so is it reversible, ie treatable? I will be speaking about it with my doctor. It may help explain my fatigue. Thanks.

Comments

  • Rocquie
    Rocquie Member Posts: 869 Member
    edited March 2021 #2
    ShadyGuy

    I was diagnosed, back in the day, with pancytopenia. The treatment in my case was blood transfusions, which I had numerous times. I haven't had problems in several years. I would think there is a strong chance this is causing fatigue, as well as infections.

    Take it easy on yourself!

    Hugs,

    Rocquie

  • ShadyGuy
    ShadyGuy Member Posts: 902 Member
    #3
    Thanks Rocquie

    Glad you are over it. Your recovery has been remarkable.  I have to keep moving. I would do so much better if I could just sleep. It seems this is a "condition" and not a disease. It is probably caused by damage to the bone marrow from chemo. Also when origiinally diagnosed 26% of the cells in my marrow were cancerous which means further damage to my marrow's ability to produce healthy blood cells. It is what it is. My sun is setting.

  • Rocquie
    Rocquie Member Posts: 869 Member
    edited March 2021 #4
    Words

    Rather than use the word "condition", I like to use the word "malady" simply because I like the word and I think it is fun to say. I officially have a "Syndrome". (S.I.A.D.S) which is is another fun word, though not a fun disorder. It is a rare result of lymphoma and the treatment thereof. 

    When you said your sun is setting, it made me think of this beautiful song: Don't Let the Sun Go Down. . . (clickable link)

    Don't forget to stop and smell the daffodils. Spring has arrived again.

    Your friend,

    Rocquie

     

     

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,812 Member
    #5
    Latin

    One thing about the cancer experience is that it is educational.   Pancytopenia, if you've studied Latin (I have not), would mean exactly what you describe:  pan = 'all'; cyto= 'cancerous', and penia = 'deficiency.'

    I am out the door to see the NP.  Had labs last week:  remain anemic myself, after three months on OTC iron, per the Doc.  But the evidence is not straightforward, clouded in a slew of subtest results.  They have not figured it out.   One theory they had a while back was aplastic anemia, a form of leukemia.  But apalastic anemia, in which all stem cell products are low (WBC,RBC, platelets) is almost always aggressive, and usually kills fast.   So it seems to be something else.  In layman's parlance, aplastic anemia is usually refered to as 'bone marrow failure.'

     

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25837779/

  • PBL
    PBL Member Posts: 366 Member
    edited March 2021 #6
    -cyto-

    Max, there's a material error in your breakdown of "pancytopenia": -cyto- refers to "cell". So, the whole word reads: "deficiency in all cell types" (in the blood sample).

    Now, as regards your own concern, I do hope it is not aplastic anemia - but as you note yourself, it's been going on for too long without much evolution, so... A mystery?

  • Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3
    Max Former Hodgkins Stage 3 Member Posts: 3,812 Member
    edited March 2021 #7
    PBL said:

    -cyto-

    Max, there's a material error in your breakdown of "pancytopenia": -cyto- refers to "cell". So, the whole word reads: "deficiency in all cell types" (in the blood sample).

    Now, as regards your own concern, I do hope it is not aplastic anemia - but as you note yourself, it's been going on for too long without much evolution, so... A mystery?

    Sure

    As used within the oncology world, 'cytotoxic' refers to a drug (mostly chemos) that kills cancerous cells, in that it differentiates hypermetabolic verses non-hypermetabolic ones.   

    But you are correct: LITERALLY, cytotoxic would be rendered generically as 'cell killer.'   

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