Quiz: The Chemotherapy Patient

CBC abnormalities can have a significant impact on treatment options for a chemotherapy patient. This quiz presents different scenarios with accompanying CBC changes that can commonly occur in patients treated with the CHOP B-cell lymphoma protocol and offers solutions on how to adapt each treatment plan accordingly.

Bear, a 7-year-old castrated golden retriever with B-cell lymphoma, is currently undergoing a CHOP-L (cyclophosphamide, hydroxyl doxorubicin, vincristine [Oncovin], prednisone, L-asparaginase) chemotherapy protocol; see the Table¹ for interpretation of the neutrophil counts cited in the following scenarios.

NEUTROPENIA GRADING SYSTEM¹

CHOP = cyclophosphamide, hydroxyl doxorubicin, vincristine (Oncovin), prednisolone