“Does radiation weaken your immune system?”
I will have a radiation treatment next week. Does radiation weaken your immune system?
5 Answers
RadiologistRadiologist
In the vast majority of patients radiation does not cause measurable immune deficiency. In some cases, where significant areas of bone marrow containing bony structures are treated, such as the spine or pelvic bones, an immune suppression can be seen. Your doctors may monitor your blood counts until recovery.
This is a very interesting question. It is understood that chemotherapy more commonly affects the immune system by decreases white blood cell counts (cells that are primed to maintain the immune system, combat or address infections). Conversely, radiation therapy is not known to significantly decrease blood counts. However, its effect is site specific, and is most pronounced when radiation therapy is directed to the pelvis. The latter observation is attributed to the large reservoir of bone marrow in the pelvic bones such as iliac bones (‘hip bones’).
Other sites of the body certainly host bone and thus contain bone marrow; but comparatively less percent than the pelvic bones. Thus, these bones are less likely to be related to any significant radiation-induced decrease in blood counts and, as such, are less associated with a compromised or weakened immune response.
I hope this response has been helpful and informative.
Sincerely,
Dr. EB
Other sites of the body certainly host bone and thus contain bone marrow; but comparatively less percent than the pelvic bones. Thus, these bones are less likely to be related to any significant radiation-induced decrease in blood counts and, as such, are less associated with a compromised or weakened immune response.
I hope this response has been helpful and informative.
Sincerely,
Dr. EB