How do You Deal With Chemotherapy-induced Neutropenia?
Jun 01, 2011 in
Other Cancer
Patient has Breast Cancer
Had first FEC Chemotherapy treatment (adjuvant chemotherapy)
Started to develop a flu on day 4 after chemotherapy
Received antibiotics
Slightly overweight
WBC count 1.3 – mild Neutropenia even after taking Neulasta the day after chemotherapy
Could the Neulasta dosage (6 mg) have been insufficient due to weight and does it make sense to try to administer several dosages of Neupogen?
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
3 comments
Robert Pendergrast, MD on June 1, 2011 at 11:29 am
Actually there is some good evidence supporting the use of a Chinese herb called Astragalus in preventing chemo related neutropenia. Reference: Integrative Oncology, ed. Abrams and Weil, Oxford Univ Press 2009. Also a very authoritative volume written more for the lay public called Life Over Cancer by Keith Block, MD, who is probably the leading integrative oncologist in North America.
Regardless of the neutropenia, have the patient continue to follow a breast cancer prevention diet, as it also has support for better outcome and preventing relapse (reference the LACE study, also published January 2009 (Breast Cancer Research 2009, 11:R31).
deborah on June 1, 2011 at 11:29 am
You Oncologist will adjust your neulasta dose in relation to your response. It takes a little while for the neulasta to kick in so at your next appointment, you may be doing much better. Discuss any alternative treatments (herbal, etc) with your oncologist. If he is completely against them find another oncologist who will give you accurate information on any interactions with your other medications. Good Luck to you! THINK PINK!
Nah Z on June 1, 2011 at 11:29 am
Discuss your dose with your doctor- I can’t make recommendations in that respect.
As for the neupogen treatment, YES. Neupogen will help prevent infections, help you recover faster, and prevent you from having to be hospitalized or be taken off treatment because you became ill. Discuss your concerns about receiving it with your doctor, but really, it’s pretty well in your favor.
Also, I’m a bit confused about the "started to develop a flu, received antibiotics"… the appropriate treatment for a flu would be antivirals, not antibiotics. do you have the terms confused?