THE RADIATION EFFECT ON BLOOD CELLS IN CANCER PATIENTS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE EXTERNAL RADIATION THERAPY- ANALYTICAL STUDY
الملخص
Normal leukocytes count ranges from 4500-11000, Platelets 150,000-400,000/mm3 and Hemoglobin level male: 13.5-17.5 g/dL, female: 12.0-16.0 g/dL. External beam radiation therapy is a treatment using high-energy ionizing radiation is part of cancer treatment methods to control and kill malignant cells at the treatment site. However, normal cells and cancer cells are affected at the same time, the effect depends on the sensitivity of the Cells as well as the value of the dose deposited to the area. This study is aimed at assessing only changes in WBCs, Plts and Hgb level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients from the University Hospital radiotherapy department in Tripoli, Libya, were included in this study from April to August 2024. The information related to the study was collected from the archive unit of the department after approval to conduct the study. RESULTS: Out of the 42 patients, 26 (61.90%) females and 16(38.1%) males, the median age was 51.4years the age group has diversified (17 to 82) years. According to the treatment sites we classified them into eight groups the most common cancer was breast cancer accounting for 20 (47.6%), 6(14.28%) of cases were head and neck, 4(9.52%) larynx cancers, 4(9.52%) lymphoma cancer, 2(4.76%) lung, 3(7.14%) prostate, 2(4.76%) cervix and 1(2.38%) rectum. We found a statistically significant (P<0.10) reduction in total (WBCs) count, Plts counts and Hgb level when compared the results of Pre RT to Post RT. CONCLUSION: Leukocytes, platelets and hemoglobin level, are the main hematological indicators that predict the response rate to treatment, severity of the disease. The effectiveness and progress of radiation therapy can be estimated in this way.