What are the three hematologic side effects of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is known to cause various hematologic side effects due to its effects on rapidly dividing cells, both cancerous and healthy. The correct answer includes thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and anemia, which are common adverse effects of chemotherapy.

Thrombocytopenia refers to a decreased level of platelets in the blood, which can lead to increased bleeding and bruising, as platelets are crucial for blood clotting. This condition occurs because chemotherapy targets not only cancer cells but also healthy bone marrow cells that produce blood components.

Leukopenia is characterized by a reduced white blood cell count, specifically neutrophils, which increases the risk of infections. White blood cells are vital for the immune response, and their reduction due to chemotherapy can leave patients vulnerable to infections.

Anemia is a condition where there is a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin. This can lead to symptoms like fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath, as red blood cells are crucial for transporting oxygen throughout the body.

The other options present conditions that are either unrelated or not typically associated with the common side effects of chemotherapy. For instance, thrombosis refers to the formation of blood clots, leukocytosis indicates an elevated white blood cell count,