What is Nadir?
When discussing chemotherapy side effects often you will hear the word nadir, mainly in reference to the blood counts, particularly white blood cell count and platelet count. Nadir basically means low point, however further explanation may clarify this term in connection with chemotherapy treatment. Nadir Affects White and Red Blood Cell Counts as well as Platelet Count. When chemotherapy is given it not only affects the rapidly dividing cancer cells but it also affects some of the normal cells of the body. These effects particularly occur on normal cells that divide rapidly such as, the hair, the lining of the mouth, the cells lining the intestinal tract and the blood cells (white and red blood cells as well as platelets). In the bone marrow the spongy inner core of the larger bones in the body is where blood cells are made. There are very immature cells called stem cells, from which the various types of blood cells develop. These stem cells do not reproduce quickly and are less likel
