Anemia

Anemia - A medical condition characterized by a lower-than-normal red blood cell count. Anemia is one of the more common side effects of cancer and cancer treatment, which can slow the production of red blood cells. Individuals with a cancer that involves the blood system (e.g., leukemia, lymphoma) may be more likely to develop cancer-related anemia. The primary symptom of anemia is a general sense of fatigue and weakness, sometimes accompanied by dizziness, headaches and/or pain. Treatment for anemia can include the administration of nutritional supplements (e.g., vitamin B12, folic acid, iron), erythropoietin injections (growth factors used to stimulate red blood cell production), and, in some cases, blood transfusions.

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