Info
Thrombocytopenia
Side effects
What it means
A fall in the platelet count below normal levels, which increases the risk of bleeding. It is a common side effect of chemotherapy. Patients should avoid activities that carry a risk of injury.
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Full blood count (complete blood count)
- A blood test that counts the blood cells: red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. During chemotherapy it is monitored frequently because the treatments can affect the production of blood cells.
- Alopecia (hair loss)
- A common side effect of chemotherapy, which also affects the hair on your scalp. Hair loss is usually temporary, and your hair grows back after treatment, sometimes with a slightly different texture or color.
- Anaemia
- A fall in the number of red blood cells or in haemoglobin, which leads to tiredness, weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath. In cancer care, it can be caused by the disease itself or by treatments.
Other terms in “Side effects”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.