Definition:
Anemia is a decrease in the number of red blood cells (RBC's) or hemoglobin, resulting in a lower ability for the blood to carry oxygen to body tissues.
Anemia has many causes. Common causes of anemia in lung cancer include:
- Bone marrow suppression (myelosuppression) - due to chemotherapy
- Bleeding - due to surgery, or from complications of the cancer
- The cancer itself - anemia is common with many chronic diseases, due to the disease itself, or secondary to nutritional deficiencies brought on by the disease
Common symptoms of anemia include fatigue, lightheadedness, palpitations, and shortness of breath.
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