Products to raise white blood cells after chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is often accompanied by negative reactions of varying severity. Each drug causes certain complications, destroying both tumor cells and healthy, rapidly multiplying epithelial, reproductive, bone marrow, etc. cells. The body's response to the aggressor can occur instantly - immediately at the time of administration of the cytostatic, with a delay of a day or remotely, several years later.

Why does my blood suffer after chemotherapy?

Treatment with cytostatics makes it possible to eliminate some types of malignant neoplasms. During the course, chemicals can damage the structure or inhibit the growth of defective cells. For each type of tumor, individual treatment protocols are developed with drug use schedules and precise dosages, depending on body weight.

Unfortunately, today there is no drug in oncology that meets the basic requirements for safety and high efficiency. Namely, the effect on absolutely all types of tumor cells and the absence of toxicity to the body.

Often, after a course, a person’s blood sharply worsens its composition and characteristics. A decrease in the level of white blood cells and platelets is called “myelosuppression,” which peaks in the first or second week of starting chemotherapy.

Do overweight patients need nutritional support?

There is such a thing as sarcopenic obesity. This condition is characterized by the fact that lean body mass decreases, but this is not visually noticeable due to the presence of excess fat mass. Sarcopenic obesity significantly worsens the prognosis of the disease.

The composition of mixtures used for nutrition in patients with excess body weight includes the following components:

• amino acids and their derivatives: arginine, glutamine, ornithine, taurine;
• lipids: omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids (EPA), medium chain triglycerides (MCT), short chain triglycerides;
• antioxidants: alpha-tocopherol, glutathione, etc.;
• dietary fiber – only in enteral formulas.

Clinical manifestations

Developing leukopenia can cause unpleasant symptoms:

• weakness and fatigue;
• dizziness;
• signs of intoxication;
• feeling of lack of air;
• fever, increased body temperature;
• bloating;
• frequent and painful urination;
• joint and muscle pain, cramps.

In the absence of specific medical care, bacterial complications and exacerbation of chronic infections develop. Which necessitates the abolition of chemotherapy, and this, in turn, leads to a relapse of the tumor process.

Medicines

Drugs to increase the level of leukocytes are divided into two groups: main ones, which provoke the production of leukocytes, quickly leading to results after a course of chemotherapy, and auxiliary ones. The latter protect the immune system without producing white blood cells. Side effects of drugs are different. The appointment requires the help of a specialist.

The main drugs include:

• Neupogen. Stimulates leukocyte production. Used as an injection solution. Fast-acting, eliminated after a day. Used: after chemotherapy; on one's own. Application occurs exclusively under the supervision of a doctor, who records all changes for the better and for the worse.
• Leukogen. Increases leukocytes. Not too toxic, eliminated from the body completely. Indications: low level of white bodies in the blood, as a result of radiation therapy. Contraindicated in cases of formations in the brain. The volume and duration of the course are selected by the doctor for the patient separately. In tablet form. It can only be purchased with a prescription.
• Methyluracil. Discharged after oncology treatment. Characterized by a minimal number of side effects. Generates growth and tissue regeneration in the body. It is used in various conditions that require increased tissue growth. The release form is different (injections, tablets). Indications: gamma therapy, anti-cancer treatment with drugs. Contraindicated for people with leukemia or malignant tumors in the bone marrow.

• Lenograstim. The action is aimed at the bone marrow to stimulate the production of neutrophils. Indications: after treatment of a malignant tumor with cytostatic drugs that cause leukopenia. Contraindications include hypersensitivity to the composition of the drug and myeloid leukemia.
• Polyoxidonium. Form: suppositories (vaginal, rectal). Helps produce antibodies, improves immunity, removes toxins and salts. Contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation, and people with renal failure.
• Sodium Nucleinate. In the form of powder, tablets. Regulates the number of lymphocytes. Contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women.
• Filgrastim. Quickly stimulates the hematopoietic organs. Indications: leukocytes are low. Used to treat acute infections. Side effects: muscle spasms, low blood pressure, problems with the excretory system. Problems for women expecting a child. Not recommended for people with hypersensitivity, kidney problems, liver problems, or leukemia.
• Pentoxyl. In the form of tablets. For leukopenia (all degrees), some other diseases. The consequences of taking it include digestive problems. Not possible for brain cancer.
• Pyridoxine. Metabolism drug. Participates in the formation of glutamic acid. Prohibited for people with personal intolerance to components.
• Batilol. Pills. Prevention of radiation sickness. Increases red blood cells, leukocytes. Side effects include indigestion (dyspepsia).
• Cepharansin. Tablet form. It acts quickly, integrates into cell membranes, and stimulates connections.
• Popular: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin.

Auxiliary drugs

Adjuvant therapy includes the use of drugs that fight the dangers on their own, so as not to waste white blood cells. These include:

• antibiotics;
• antiviral;
• antipyretics;
• Injectable vitamins: B12.

What tests are needed to check blood?

Damage to the bone marrow is reflected in changes in blood counts. Patients have to regularly undergo a general blood test, which diagnoses the risks of complications:

• a decrease in neutrophils leads to suppression of immune activity;
• a drop in red blood cell levels is associated with the development of chronic anemia;
• A low platelet count indicates a deterioration in blood clotting.

Based on the information received, you can determine whether it is worthwhile to carry out therapy with this drug, replace it with another, or reduce the dose. When making a decision, much attention is paid to the general condition of the patient.

An adult should normally have 4-9x109 leukocytes. Deviations from these numbers indicate a malfunction in the body. High values ​​indicate a lack of resistance, protection from bacteria and viruses, low levels indicate bone marrow damage, impaired blood circulation, or cancer.

Food selection issues

Recommended products include:

• fish (a valuable source of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids);
• seafood (protein, PUFAs, selenium, zinc);
• chicken, turkey (breast);
• cheese;
• cottage cheese;
• broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts;
• flaxseed, sesame and sea buckthorn oil (sources of fat);
• fruits;
• cocoa.

Protein is an important component of the patient’s diet, as it is the main building material for the body.

To increase protein digestibility, the following combinations of products can be recommended:

• dairy products (or eggs) + cereals;
• legumes (soybeans, lentils, beans) + eggs;
• eggs + potatoes;
• spaghetti + cheese.
• What a patient should absolutely not eat:
• raw meat and fish, sushi;
• shrimp and crabs;
• raw eggs and milk;
• unwashed fruits and vegetables.

Consumption of these products may be associated with a high risk of infection, so it is important not to worsen the patient’s condition with improper nutrition!

For a number of reasons, cancer patients are susceptible to various infections, and with nutritional deficiency, the risk of infection increases sharply.

Long-digested foods should also be avoided, as they delay the evacuation of food from the stomach. Such products include sauerkraut, eggplant, pork, lard and smoked meats.

Methods for normalizing indicators based on frequent deviations

Blood restoration after chemotherapy is based on the administration of agents that increase the number of platelets and stimulate the formation of mature red blood cells. This helps to raise hemoglobin levels, improve the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, and improve blood supply to tissues.

If the patient has swelling, infiltrates, necrotic destruction of the epithelial layer, this indicates the possible death of erythrocyte sprouts of the bone marrow. In this case, a transfusion of blood, platelets or red blood cells can help. In more severe situations, you will have to resort to a bone marrow transplant.

To quickly restore your blood count, your doctor will prescribe:

• Sorbifer Durules is an antianemic drug. Active substances are iron sulfate and ascorbic acid. Thanks to this composition, oxidative processes and protein recovery from blood cells occur in the body. The tablets are taken orally (by mouth) 1-2 times a day for three months or until a normal hemoglobin level is achieved;
• Ferrum LEK is also an antianemic agent with the main component of iron hydroxide polymaltosate. Available in ampoules for intramuscular administration, chewable tablets and syrup form. The dosage is set individually according to age, clinical situation and indications;
• Totema is a combined antianemic solution for oral administration containing trace elements: iron, copper, manganese. It is necessary to strictly follow the dosage regimen prescribed by the doctor. It is possible that tooth enamel and stool may darken to black, which is considered normal;
• Filgrastim-Nanolek is a stimulator of leukopoiesis, an immunomodulator for intravenous and subcutaneous injections. Represents a non-glycosylated, highly purified protein. Causes a slight increase in the number of monocytes and a significant increase in neutrophils. Injections are given at a rate of 5-12 mcg per kilogram of body weight. The duration of the course lasts until the norm of neutrophil granulocytes is established, but no more than two weeks;
• Neupogen is an analogue of the previous one with the same effect for subcutaneous administration.
• We recommend taking VIALIFE capsules or VIALIFE solution, because they contain the highest possible concentration of chlorophyll, which: strengthens the immune system;
• enhances cell regeneration;
• saturates tissues with oxygen;
• has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying effects.

Treatment of cancer patients after drug therapy for cancer

The use of drugs to stop a malignant process has many positive aspects, with the exception of one – side effects. However, they can be managed if treatment is started promptly after cancer chemotherapy.

It is prescribed by the attending physician, based on the results of the latest tests, hardware studies and the patient’s complaints. Treatment includes:

• diet;
• immunomodulators;
• symptomatic medications;
• psychological help.

Diet after cancer treatment

One of the common reactions of the body to therapy with drugs containing poisons and toxins is nausea and loss of appetite. You can’t refuse food, because it gives you strength to recover, but you’ll have to reconsider your diet.

Basic nutritional recommendations for cancer patients recovering from chemotherapy treatment:

1. Eat small meals, but often. Invite your friends; having a meal with them is much more pleasant than alone.
2. Include new foods in your diet (check with your doctor first).
3. If you feel a metallic taste in your mouth, replace your usual cutlery with plastic ones.

Recommendations for the diet itself concern not only food, but also the preparation of various dishes:

1. Steam or bake food in the oven. This way it will retain more nutrients.
2. Eat more proteins - turkey, skinless chicken breast, sea fish (preferably red), fish caviar (any).
3. Add dairy products - sour cream, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk, yogurt, whole milk.
4. Prepare salads from greens and vegetables using sunflower, flaxseed, and olive oil.
5. Introduce cheese, butter, eggs, and legumes into your diet.
6. For a snack, use nuts, wheat germ, and fruit smoothies.
7. For first courses, prepare cream soups and puree soups, including black bean and lentil soups.
8. Freshly squeezed vegetable, fruit, and berry juices are beneficial.
9. As a side dish, eat porridge - buckwheat, rolled oats, barley, rice.

A cancer patient undergoing treatment after exposure to chemotherapy needs to drink about one and a half liters of fluid per day. It is recommended to consult a doctor on this issue. If there is an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneum, lungs or pleural cavity, its amount is limited.

Immunomodulators in post-cancer treatment

Chemotherapy is extremely stressful for the human body. The bone marrow responsible for blood is most damaged. After treatment, her indicators deteriorate significantly, showing a lack of basic components - leukocytes, erythrocytes and platelets, which causes leukopenia, erythropenia, thrombocytopenia.

The lack of white blood cells in the body affects the immune system - it becomes so weak that the patient can catch any infection or virus to which he was previously immune. To correct the condition of cancer patients, treatment after chemotherapy always includes immunomodulator drugs that stimulate hematopoiesis (the process of hematopoiesis in the bone marrow):

• Derinat;
• Granocyte;
• Leucomax;
• Glutoxim;
• Lycopid;
• Galavit;
• Neupogen;
• Deoxynate.

Immunomodulatory drugs are used to improve the quality of life of patients with cancer. Their effectiveness has been proven by more than 30 years of use in cancer patients during chemotherapy and during the recovery period.

Symptomatic treatment

The first priority is to eliminate or reduce pain in cancer patients. For these purposes, analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. They are often combined with sedatives and tranquilizers. Painkillers are prescribed according to a scheme from weak to strong with a gradual increase in effect. If the pain is severe or the disease is advanced (inoperable stages of cancer controlled by chemotherapy), the doctor prescribes narcotic analgesics. However, such means are resorted to only as a last resort and for a short period of time (up to 3 days).

Treatment of gastrointestinal disorders

The first thing the doctor does is determine the cause of the condition. Nausea and vomiting occur not only from poisoning of the body of a cancer patient during treatment with toxic anticancer drugs. This often occurs as a result of intestinal obstruction - mechanical or dynamic (cerebral edema, hypercalcemia). If nothing serious is found, the cancer patient is prescribed Cerucal or Dexamethasone for treatment; if they are weak, Zofran, Navobane, and Osetron may be prescribed.

Constipation is one of the side effects of chemotherapy in particularly severe patients. Here, the doctor’s recommendations are exclusively individual. If there is no question of surgical treatment of constipation, step-by-step therapy is carried out:

1. Cleansing or oil enema (at night).
2. Orally castor or vaseline oil.
3. Laxative – Guttalax, senna leaf, Bisacodyl.

Diarrhea occurs either as a functional impairment or as a neuropsychiatric complication after cancer chemotherapy. Treatment includes:

• diet;
• antidiarrheal drugs (Loperamide);
• saline solutions to replenish water-salt and electrolyte balance (Regidron);
• medications that restore intestinal microflora (Linex, Bifidumbacterin, Lactofiltrum - an enterosorbent that restores intestinal microflora);
• Enterosorbents - activated carbon, Diosmectite, Polyphepan, Polysorb and others.

If tests reveal that the diarrhea is infectious, antibiotics are prescribed to treat the condition.

Liver and kidneys

Both organs are involved in filtration, and therefore are more affected than others during cancer treatment. To restore the liver, you first need to cleanse it of harmful substances accumulated in it. For this purpose, Legalon is used, a preparation based on milk thistle seeds. After cleansing, the main task is to restore the liver cells damaged by chemotherapy, so that the organ works correctly again and begins to fulfill its direct function - to cleanse the blood of harmful substances. For treatment, dietary supplements are used - Essentiale Forte, Karsil, Flor Essence.

The kidneys are a little more complicated. Aggressive exposure to toxic/poisonous drugs can cause uric acid nephropathy and kidney failure. To restore proper kidney function, use:

• Nephrin, Canephron, Chofitol, Nephrofit.
• Collections from medicinal herbs (corn silk, kidney tea, borage and others).

If inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract are diagnosed, antibacterial drugs are prescribed for treatment - Nitroxoline, Furadonin.

Recommended Lifestyle

In folk medicine there are many proven recipes that give a chance to increase the number of leukocytes and raise hemoglobin. Here are a few fairly simple, but no less productive ones:

• Boil unpeeled oat grains with milk for half an hour. Take throughout the day until complete recovery;
• rosehip decoction - 150.0 crushed fruits, pour two liters of water. Boil for 20 minutes over medium heat, set aside for 12 hours to infuse. Then drink instead of tea;
• improves the composition of hemoglobin by eating finely grated carrots mixed with honey or sour cream before breakfast;
• You can cleanse your body of toxins using flaxseed jelly made in a water bath. It is necessary to consume one liter in the afternoon. Duration – at least 6 months;
• This special delicious mixture will please everyone without exception. Raisins, prunes, dried apricots, walnuts, and lemon are taken in equal proportions. Grind in a blender and season with honey. Store in a closed glass jar on the refrigerator shelf. Eat a tablespoon 3 times a day.

Nutrition

In addition to the above remedies, white blood cells and hemoglobin after chemotherapy can be increased through proper diet. A well-designed diet is the key to a quick recovery:

• chicken and beef broth;
• boiled liver;
• fruits, berries, red vegetables (beets, pomegranates, cranberries, black currants, etc.);
• buckwheat for breakfast, topped with kefir in the evening;
• red fish, stewed or baked;
• 50 g (no more) per day of natural grape wine;
• honey - twice a day before meals, 2-3 tablespoons;
• lentil soups and porridges;
• chicory drinks, fruit drinks, freshly squeezed juices, green tea;
• dill, parsley

Do not forget that any diet must be agreed with your doctor. Products included in dishes must contain vitamins C and B12, folic acid, and iron. But, one must also take into account that the excess content of these components leads to the rapid proliferation of cancer cells. And if you are already taking dietary supplements with a similar composition, then your diet should be balanced taking this fact into account.

Effect of nutritional support on tumor growth

At present, no evidence-based clinical data has been obtained indicating the effect of long-term artificial nutrition on tumor growth.

Recommendations for nutritional support:

A clinically significant effect occurs within 2 weeks.

The duration of the appointment is not limited.

Siping mixtures should be consumed slowly and in small sips through a straw for 20-30 minutes.

Nutrient mixtures can be consumed either chilled or warm, but not above + 40 °C.

Based on specialized nutrition, you can prepare milkshakes, add it to cereals, purees, salads and desserts.

Most patients need to continue nutritional support on an outpatient basis as part of rehabilitation.

What is the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy?

The body, weakened by the disease and numerous destructive courses of chemotherapy, is difficult to recover. Recently, patients are increasingly choosing to treat malignant and benign tumors of various locations without incisions and scars using PDT. The action of a unique technique used in our clinic by Dr. Borisov, called Selective Chronophototherapy (SCP), which is based on photodynamic therapy, is capable of activating a cascade of biochemical and cellular reactions to regulate the level of immune status indicators. Our method has a great advantage in that the wavelength allows it to penetrate places that are difficult to reach for surgery, such as, for example, the intrahepatic ducts.

To create conditions for the death of tumors, a special apparatus and a photosensitizer are used. In our case, this is a natural product of plant origin - chlorophyll, which does not have a mutagenic or toxic effect. The administered PS accumulates in energy-deficient cells, and, under the influence of a light beam, a reaction occurs. As a result, the oxygen present in biological tissues acquires a new form that has a damaging effect on these same cells.

In addition, photodynamic therapy is successfully used in infectious and inflammatory processes. Unlike antibiotics, its antibacterial effect does not depend on the sensitivity of microorganisms, so the effect is equally destructive for viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

Hemoglobin

Hemoglobin is a protein contained in red blood cells that exchanges oxygen between the lungs and body tissues. Contains iron.

Anemia is a pathological condition characterized by low levels of hemoglobin, red blood cells and iron in the blood.

Anemia in malignant neoplasms is determined by a decrease in hemoglobin concentration below the normal value - usually <120 g/l.

The symptoms of anemia are not specific, so it is difficult to recognize it in the early stages of development. Common symptoms are drowsiness, weakness, irritability, and frequent headaches.

Degrees of anemia

1. Light degree - 100 - 119 g/l

2. Average degree - 80 - 99 g/l

3. Severe degree - below 80 g/l

Why is it so important to know your hemoglobin level and why is anemia dangerous?

Anemia not only worsens the quality of life of cancer patients, but also negatively affects life expectancy in most types of tumors and reduces the effectiveness of treatment.

Laboratory indicators

1. General (clinical) blood test.

2. Assessment of iron metabolism indicators.

3. Tests for occult blood in feces, endoscopic examination.

4. Bone marrow examination - according to indications.