Why Does Thrombocytopenia Occur in Cancer Patients?
Thrombocytopenia can result from various factors related to cancer and its treatment. Primary reasons include: - Bone marrow infiltration: Certain cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, can infiltrate the bone marrow, impairing its ability to produce platelets. - Chemotherapy: Many chemotherapy drugs are myelosuppressive, meaning they inhibit bone marrow function, leading to reduced platelet production. - Radiation therapy: Radiation, particularly when targeted at bones, can damage the bone marrow. - Medications: Some cancer medications can directly cause thrombocytopenia as a side effect. - Immune-mediated processes: In some cases, the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys platelets.
