URGENT Guidance

Hi,

My father is in Stage IV Prostate cancer. He has developed Bone metastasis ans hence had undergone Radiation around the Spine area for 3 days finishing on 11th Oct 2009. Now since then we are awaiting for chemo but his platelet count has come down from 119 to 89 to 86in the last 11 days. Pls advise as to how can his platelet count be increased

Rgds

If the platelet count is below 20,000, people are usually tre

If the platelet count is below 20,000, people are usually treated in a hospital or advised to stay in bed to avoid injury. They are usually given a transfusion of platelets. If the platelet count is 20,000 to 30,000 and excessive bleeding occurs, platelets are usually transfused.

ated in a hospital or advised to stay in bed to avoid injury. They are usually given a transfusion of platelets. If the platelet count is 20,000 to 30,000 and excessive bleeding occurs, platelets are usually transfused.

A corticosteroid such as prednisone may be used to temporarily prevent antibodies from destroying platelets. Then the platelet count increases. After the corticosteroid is discontinued, the count may decrease again. In such cases, people may need to continue a corticosteroid for the rest of their life, or one of several other treatments may be tried.

If the spleen is trapping too many platelets, the spleen may be surgically removed. This procedure (splenectomy) increases the platelet count. Randall