White blood cells
are produced in the bone marrow and are responsible
for attacking foreign agents that enter the body. White
blood cells destroy invading bacteria, germs, or any
substance that the body does not recognize. Depleting
the number of white blood cells, which results with
a low white blood cell counts, leaves the body vulnerable
to infections. Because the cells of the bone marrow
divide quickly, white blood cells run the risk of being
destroyed by chemotherapy for prostate cancer. Chemotherapy
for prostate cancer generally is not used until patients
experience hormone refractory cancer or bone metastasis.
Prostate cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy
may be prone to infection in addition to their injuries
taking longer to heal.
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