Low WBC 6 months after chemo?

Options
Ralsper
Ralsper Member Posts: 352
edited June 2014 in Stage I Breast Cancer

 I am 6 months past chemo (ACT -- no prob with counts then, but on neulasta); and 3 1/2 months past radiation. I've been on Tamoxifen for 6 months now. My WBC count was 3.38 at the first post-chemo-time-to-begin-tamox and 2.4 post-rads. Three months later was checked again an its 2.6. Of course, I will have a bone marrow biopsy next week, but my MO thinks that could be just a normal SE of the chemo and rads or a rare SE of tamoxifen.

Please, whatever you can share with me I will highly appreciate it because as you can imagine I am not happy with this news. Thank you!

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • srlilly
    srlilly Member Posts: 9
    edited June 2012

    I have the same situation.  I'm 9 months post-chemo, and my WBC is 2.98 - just got checked today.  My oncologist doesn't seem too concerned, although he ordered blood drawn to evaluate my vitamin B12 level.  Meanwhile, I eat very healthfully, I am active, and I feel fantastic!  I'll be curious what others have to say, but hang in there:)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • coraleliz
    coraleliz Member Posts: 1,523
    edited June 2012

    I wonder what the threshold of concern is. Less than 3.0?? I didn't have chemo but mine are dropping. 3.8 then 3.6, now 3.2. I had RADs & on Tamox.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ralsper
    Ralsper Member Posts: 352
    edited June 2012

    My MO was kind of "surprised" and she said "it happens sometimes". Apparently, neutropenia can occur on Tamoxifen but it is "rare".   I don't know how long after chemo our counts can be down and I don't know whether rads can cause counts to go down. Seems like if the rads are focused on the breast, they wouldn't affect bone marrow; but I guess the ribs and sternum and maybe the collarbone could be in the field. How much functional bone marrow is in those bones, though?  I guess it's possible to have an indirect effect of rads (due to the soft tissue damage) mess up WBC production by the bone marrow. Never heard of that, though. OTOH, some websites say rads for BC can cause neutropenia. Anyway, I am so looking foward to hear from other women.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alirena
    Alirena Member Posts: 82
    edited June 2012

    I didn't have chemo but my platelets and lymphocytes were low after chest wall radiation.  It took about eight months for the levels to come back into the normal range.  They are still lower than they were at the time my cancer was first diagnosed.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ralsper
    Ralsper Member Posts: 352
    edited June 2012

    Thank you Alirena! I don't want to freak out, but I will lie if I said that I am not worry.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Alirena
    Alirena Member Posts: 82
    edited June 2012

    Ralston, I was worried too even though the doctors didn't seem all that concerned.  Please keep us posted.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Paintingmywaythru
    Paintingmywaythru Member Posts: 317
    edited July 2012

    I had fairly OK bloods a month post chemo (TC) but now 7 months later I have low lymph# and a WBC of 3.3. This seems weird. My glob is low to. the doctor said we would watch it. I  don't feel ill or unwell. I feel much better than before. Con't like this though...any thoughts?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories