[Stephen Gasaway]

Platelet dropping w/ no chemo for a month

by Stephen Gasaway on Fri Apr 12, 2013 10:59 am

I have been experiencing a platelet drop now for 4 weeks rendering me unable to receive my maintenance dosage of Velcade My markers are still ok but the Doctor says he may have to perform a bone marrow biopsy. What will he be looking for? Or does the marrow become immune to my treatments? I'm confused. I've had a sctp in 2006. Some bone problems and maintenance since, otherwise feel good. Now for the first time I've been unable to receive my treatment do to low blood counts and platelet counts for a month now. Don't know what to expect.

[Dr. Peter Voorhees]

Re: Platelet dropping w/ no chemo for a month

by Dr. Peter Voorhees on Fri Apr 12, 2013 6:11 pm

Dear Stephen,

There are many potential causes of dropping counts, some of which are fairly benign (for example, low vitamin B12 levels or medication side effects) as well as those that are more serious (multiple myeloma, bone marrow damage from prior chemotherapy). If you had measurable myeloma on blood or urine tests in the past and the numbers are good now, multiple myeloma may be less likely, although you do see situations where the myeloma stops producing antibody to the same extent, which can make it harder to monitor with blood and urine tests alone.

I think a bone marrow biopsy is the right thing to do.

Best of luck to you and let us know how things go!

Best,

Pete V.