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Suggest Treatment For Unexplained Bruises On The Arms After Chemotherapy

Posted on Mon, 13 Jul 2015

Question: I finished chemo for breast cancer three weeks ago and am about to have herceptin. I have suddenly started coming out in bruises for no reason all over my arms. Do I need to be worried?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bruises can be due to low platelets after chemotherapy

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query on HealthcareMagic.
Bruises all over your arms after chemotherapy can be due to low platelet count.
Chemotherapy is known to cause bone marrow depression and suppression of all blood cells like red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
Low platelet causes pin head sized haemorrhagic red-purple spots on the body.
Larger patches are due to disorders of coagulation factors.
However, a complete hemogram needs to be done to look for platelet counts.
If platelet count is critically low, platelets will have to be transfused.
Consult your oncologist at the earliest.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Shailja Puri (34 minutes later)

Thank you I will phone my oncologist. Can you tell me if the drug letrozole which is used for my her2positive Cancer is considered to be a chemotherapy drug as well as the Herceptin?

Answered by Dr. Shailja Puri (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Herceptin and letrozole are hormonal therapy

Detailed Answer:
hello and welcome again,
Herceptin and letrozole are hormonal therapy and not chemotherapy.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar