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Health A-Z

Medical Content Created by the Faculty of the
Harvard Medical School

Follow-Up

Doctors may use one or more of the following tests to judge how well chemotherapy is working:

  • Physical exams

  • Blood tests

  • X-rays

  • Computed tomography (CT) scans

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scans

Doctors order frequent blood tests. Many anti-cancer drugs affect the production of blood cells made in the bone marrow. A complete blood count (CBC) includes measurements of:

  • Red blood cells that carry oxygen

  • White blood cells that fight infection

  • Platelets that help blood clotting

Your doctor may prescribe injections to help boost the production of red and white blood cells. If the counts get too low, you may require blood transfusions.

Doctors also use blood tests to check liver and kidney function. These can be damaged by chemotherapy.

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From Health A-Z, Harvard Health Publications. Copyright 2007 by the President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Written permission is required to reproduce, in any manner, in whole or in part, the material contained herein. To make a reprint request, contact Harvard Health Publications. Used with permission of StayWell.

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