SBRT Side Effects Red, White Cell & Platelet Decrease

[FrankH]

Completed SBRT (five treatment intense radiation) for prostate cancer. This was successful. However, the radiation triggered symptomatic anemia with dangerously low red and white blood cell counts as well as low platelet counts. I spent a couple of days in hospital and got two transfusions which relieved the fairly bad symptoms of the anemia but didn’t address the lower white cells and platelet counts. Anticipating a bone marrow biopsy next since the low platelet count suggest that the radiation wasn’t the only factor in causing the low counts. I’m feeling pretty good having the numerous symptoms of the anemia relieved but anxious about the forthcoming biopsy results

[Tall_Allen]

That is very rare. SBRT is very precise in the prostate and has little effect on the bone marrow. You can ask to see the "dose volume histogram" which should show the amount of radiation received by the femur.

[FrankH in reply to Tall_Allen]

Turns out I have acute myeloid leukemia which may have had little to do with the prostate cancer although the radiation may have triggered something in part

[FrankH]

Thanks. Will look into this.