An old woman is required to receive 4 cycles of cancer chemotherapy. After her first cycle, she developed chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. Then in the next cycle, it would be appropriate to give this patient :
**Core Concept**
Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia is a common side effect of cancer chemotherapy, characterized by a decrease in platelet count due to bone marrow suppression. The bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells, including platelets, is impaired by chemotherapy, leading to a decrease in platelet production.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In the next cycle of chemotherapy, it would be appropriate to give this patient a platelet transfusion or to delay the cycle and administer growth factors such as recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) or recombinant human thrombopoietin (TPO) to stimulate platelet production. This approach can help to mitigate the risk of bleeding associated with thrombocytopenia.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Administering more chemotherapy would exacerbate the thrombocytopenia, making it worse.
* **Option B:** Giving a different type of chemotherapy would not address the underlying issue of thrombocytopenia.
* **Option C:** Stopping the chemotherapy altogether would not be effective in treating the patient's underlying cancer.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
In patients with chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia, it's essential to weigh the risks and benefits of platelet transfusions, as they can be associated with transfusion-related reactions and the development of alloimmunization. Growth factors such as G-CSF and TPO can be effective in stimulating platelet production and reducing the need for platelet transfusions.
**Correct Answer:** C.