How Do Cancer Treatments Contribute to Immunosuppression?
Many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can lead to immunosuppression. These treatments target rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also healthy cells in the bone marrow that produce immune cells. As a result, the overall count and function of immune cells, such as white blood cells, are diminished, leaving the patient more susceptible to infections and reducing the body's ability to fight off residual cancer cells.
