Introduction
A cancer treatment that uses powerful medications is called chemotherapy. These drugs exist in different forms, but they all aim to prevent the growth of cancer cells. They stop the cancer from developing and spreading to other body parts by doing this. A blood test is typically the first procedure performed while visiting a hospital or clinic, sometimes even a day or two before treatment.
Before the following treatment, the chemotherapy nurse must examine the patient's platelet count, white blood cell count (WBC), and red blood cell count (RBC). A blood transfusion may be required if the RBC is too low. It could be dangerous to continue treatment if the platelet or WBC counts are too low. Blood tests are also used to evaluate liver and kidney function. Chemotherapy side effects could increase if they are not operating correctly. Blood tests can identify biomarkers produced by some malignancies. Doctors may perform blood tests to evaluate these markers and track the efficacy of treatments.
Why Is a Blood Test Required Before Chemotherapy?
Blood testing may be required for several reasons:
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To assess general well-being.
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To ascertain whether particular conditions are the cause of particular symptoms.
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To determine the likelihood of contracting specific illnesses.
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To assess the success of a condition's treatment or management.
What Steps Are Involved in Preparing for a Blood Test?
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Preparation: The medical practitioner will give instructions on how to get ready before a blood test. This could entail fasting, depriving oneself of all liquids and food except for water for a predetermined time before the test. Additionally, they could suggest quitting some drugs, particularly ones that might have an impact on the test's outcome.
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Location: A hospital, clinic, or doctor's office is usually where blood tests are performed. The precise location of the test will be communicated to the patients.
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Procedure: A medical practitioner will walk the patient through the procedure when they arrive for the blood test. The vein in the arm, usually in the inner elbow region, is where the blood sample is often taken. Instead, blood may occasionally be extracted from the finger or wrist, especially for certain examinations.
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Preparation for Blood Draw: A tourniquet, which is a soft strap, can be wrapped around the upper arm to make it easier to locate a vein and draw blood. This causes the blood flow to momentarily slow down, increasing the veins' visibility and accessibility.
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Blood Collection: A needle will be placed to extract blood after the vein has been found. Patients could experience a momentary squeeze or sting when the needle is inserted, but nothing too excruciating. Usually, only enough blood is drawn to complete the necessary tests.
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Post-Procedure Care: The needle will be taken out after the blood sample is taken, and to stop any bleeding, the site may be wrapped with cotton wool or a plaster. To promote clotting, patients may be asked to apply pressure on the area briefly.
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Potential Side Effects: Bruising or swelling at the blood collection location is frequently experienced. Usually, it could be more serious; this should clear up in a few days. Patients should get in touch with their healthcare professional if they have extreme pain, significant bleeding, or other problematic symptoms.
How Do Blood Tests Assess Health During Cancer Treatment?
1. CBC (Complete Blood Count):
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RBCs (Red Blood Cells): These cells transport oxygen from the lungs throughout the body. Anemia, or low red blood cell counts, can result in weakness, exhaustion, and dyspnea (shortness of breath).
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White Blood Cells (WBCs): The body uses these cells to protect against infections. Low WBC counts can make infections more likely since they impair the body's immune system.
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Platelets: Blood clotting depends on platelets. Elevated platelet counts may raise the danger of blood clots, while low levels might cause excessive bleeding and bruises.
By tracking these cell numbers, Doctors can evaluate a patient's immune system health, oxygen transport capacity, and risk of bleeding or clotting issues.
2. Blood Chemistry Panel:
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Albumin: This protein indicates the general state of the kidneys and liver. Low levels could be a sign of renal or liver disease.
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ALT and AST: Damage to the liver causes the release of these enzymes. Increased levels could be a sign of liver damage brought on by cancer or its treatments.
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Phosphatase Alkaline: Increased levels could be a sign of liver or bone problems, including cancer that has migrated to the bones.
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Bilirubin: Elevated levels may suggest issues with the liver or bile ducts.
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BUN: Increased levels could be a sign of renal impairment, which some chemotherapy medications can cause.
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Calcium: Elevations may signal problems from cancer and have an impact on nerve and muscle function.
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Glucose: Elevations or decreases may be signs of diabetes or problems producing insulin.
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LDH: Increased levels could indicate tissue damage from chemotherapy or cancer.
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To evaluate general health and identify any abnormalities that might be brought on by cancer or its treatment, other chemicals such as potassium, sodium, and uric acid are also examined.
Beyond only counting cells, these tests give a complete picture of a patient's health. They enable prompt intervention and management by assisting medical professionals in identifying any organ damage or dysfunction brought on by cancer or its therapy.
What Are Tumor Markers and How Are They Detected?
Similar to signals released by cancer cells or the body's normal cells in reaction to malignancy, cancer cells produce tumor markers. They aid in determining whether cancer is present and, occasionally, even what kind of cancer it is. Tumor marker examples include:
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Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the treatment of liver cancer.
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CA 125, often known as the cancer antigen, is linked to ovarian cancer.
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PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, is indicative of prostate cancer.
Doctors use a blood test to identify these indicators. If detected, it raises the potential of malignancy and necessitates additional research.
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Testing for Blood Proteins: This technique looks at particular blood proteins called immunoglobulins, which the immune system makes to fight illnesses like myeloma.
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Tumor Cell Circulation Test: This new test finds tumor cells that have broken free from a tumor and are now floating around in the circulation. This may be a sign of metastasis or the spread of cancer. It is currently in the early stages of development, but it has the potential to monitor tumors like colorectal, prostate, and breast cancers.
How Can Treatment Wait Times Be Minimized Effectively?
There is a waiting period while the findings are obtained after blood is collected. If all appears well, the course of treatment can continue. The hospital pharmacy must prepare chemotherapy medications specifically for each patient; therefore, there may be a wait. This procedure could take a while.
Blood tests can occasionally be completed one or two days before the treatment visit to expedite the process. The general practitioner's office or the hospital are two possible locations for these tests. One can discuss this alternative with the chemotherapy nurse if it appears more convenient.
How Do Blood Test Results Impact the Chemotherapy Treatment?
Treatment will be postponed if blood counts are very low. A follow-up blood test appointment is made, generally a week or so later. Modifications in renal and hepatic function may necessitate modifying the medication dosage. Rarely, an alternative course of treatment might be required.
Conclusion
To maximize treatment efficacy and guarantee patient safety, patients must undergo a battery of blood examinations before chemotherapy. Complete blood counts (CBCs), liver function tests (LFTs), renal function tests (RFTs), and electrolyte level assessments are commonly included in these studies. Additionally, depending on the type of cancer being treated, certain genetic tests or tumor markers can be required. Healthcare professionals can customize chemotherapy regimens and closely follow patients during treatment and thank the useful information these tests provide them. Comprehensive blood studies are crucial to reducing dangers and optimizing the advantages of chemotherapy for cancer patients.
