Blood cancer patients are frequently diagnosed with low amounts of platelets or thrombocytopenia, often causing side effects such as easy bleeding and bruising. A treatment called a platelet transfusion may help improve this condition.
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are critical components of the blood clotting system. They combine to form clots to stop bleeding and facilitate repair in damaged areas of the body. The average range values of platelets in the blood may vary from 150,000 cells to 400,000 cells per microliter of blood.
Thrombocytopenia is a medical condition characterized by abnormally low amounts of platelets in the blood (less than 150,000 platelets per microliter of blood). Thrombocytopenia levels include (thresholds might vary slightly between laboratories):
In blood cancer patients and those undergoing a stem cell transplant, platelet transfusions are considered when platelet levels are below 100,000 cells per microliter of blood.
Blood cancers disrupt the normal production of blood cells in the bone marrow, where platelets are produced. A decrease in platelet levels is a common complication caused by impaired bone marrow function or, more frequently, due to specific therapies that limit platelet function or target cells involved in making platelets. Thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of most chemotherapeutic agents, immunotherapies, and novel medicines such as bispecific antibodies and CAR T cells.
A low platelet level can lead to various side effects, primarily associated with the inability to clot correctly. Patients may notice increased bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, and prolonged bleeding from cuts. Severe thrombocytopenia can lead to dangerous internal bleeding, including in vital organs. Managing platelet levels is integral to your overall care strategy for blood cancer patients to minimize these risks. One way to increase platelet levels is through platelet transfusions.
A platelet transfusion is a medical treatment in which platelets are infused into a patient's bloodstream to aid in clotting. It is typically used for those with low platelet levels (moderate thrombocytopenia or worse), platelet dysfunction, or severe active bleeding.
The platelets used in transfusions are usually collected from donors through a process called apheresis. In this process, blood is drawn from the donor and passed through a machine, separating the platelets while returning other blood components to the donor. This method allows for collecting a large number of platelets from a single donation, making it highly effective for gathering sufficient platelets for therapeutic use.
In conclusion, blood cancer patients experiencing thrombocytopenia may face health challenges due to their low platelet levels, which can result in bleeding and bruising. Under certain conditions, platelet transfusions are a treatment option to restore platelet levels and improve clotting function, enhancing patients’ overall health and quality of life.
Blood cancer patients are frequently diagnosed with low amounts of platelets or thrombocytopenia, often causing side effects such as easy bleeding and bruising. A treatment called a platelet transfusion may help improve this condition.
Platelets, or thrombocytes, are critical components of the blood clotting system. They combine to form clots to stop bleeding and facilitate repair in damaged areas of the body. The average range values of platelets in the blood may vary from 150,000 cells to 400,000 cells per microliter of blood.
Thrombocytopenia is a medical condition characterized by abnormally low amounts of platelets in the blood (less than 150,000 platelets per microliter of blood). Thrombocytopenia levels include (thresholds might vary slightly between laboratories):
In blood cancer patients and those undergoing a stem cell transplant, platelet transfusions are considered when platelet levels are below 100,000 cells per microliter of blood.
Blood cancers disrupt the normal production of blood cells in the bone marrow, where platelets are produced. A decrease in platelet levels is a common complication caused by impaired bone marrow function or, more frequently, due to specific therapies that limit platelet function or target cells involved in making platelets. Thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of most chemotherapeutic agents, immunotherapies, and novel medicines such as bispecific antibodies and CAR T cells.
A low platelet level can lead to various side effects, primarily associated with the inability to clot correctly. Patients may notice increased bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, and prolonged bleeding from cuts. Severe thrombocytopenia can lead to dangerous internal bleeding, including in vital organs. Managing platelet levels is integral to your overall care strategy for blood cancer patients to minimize these risks. One way to increase platelet levels is through platelet transfusions.
A platelet transfusion is a medical treatment in which platelets are infused into a patient's bloodstream to aid in clotting. It is typically used for those with low platelet levels (moderate thrombocytopenia or worse), platelet dysfunction, or severe active bleeding.
The platelets used in transfusions are usually collected from donors through a process called apheresis. In this process, blood is drawn from the donor and passed through a machine, separating the platelets while returning other blood components to the donor. This method allows for collecting a large number of platelets from a single donation, making it highly effective for gathering sufficient platelets for therapeutic use.
In conclusion, blood cancer patients experiencing thrombocytopenia may face health challenges due to their low platelet levels, which can result in bleeding and bruising. Under certain conditions, platelet transfusions are a treatment option to restore platelet levels and improve clotting function, enhancing patients’ overall health and quality of life.
about the author
Megan Heaps
Megan joined HealthTree in 2022. As a writer and the daughter of a blood cancer patient, she is dedicated to helping patients and their caregivers understand the various aspects of their disease. This understanding enables them to better advocate for themselves and improve their treatment outcomes. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, sewing, and cooking.
Subscribe to the weekly newsletter for news, stories, clinical trial updates, and helpful resources and events with cancer experts.