What Happens to Your Blood Cells After Chemotherapy? A Look at the Long-Term Effects
Chemotherapy is one of the most powerful tools we have to fight cancer. It works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells, which causes them to die. But what many people don’t know is that chemotherapy can also affect healthy cells, especially those in your blood. A recent study sheds new light on how these effects can last for years—even decades—after treatment ends.
What Did the Scientists Do?
Researchers studied blood samples from 23 people, ages 3 to 80, who had received chemotherapy for various cancers. They compared their blood cells to those from healthy people who had never received chemotherapy.
They wanted to answer two main questions:
Does chemotherapy cause extra changes or “mutations” in the DNA of healthy blood cells?
Does it change the way blood cells grow and multiply over time?
Key Takeaways for Patients and Caregivers
1. Chemotherapy Can Cause Long-Lasting DNA Changes
The study found that many people who received chemotherapy had more DNA changes in their blood cells than expected for their age. In some cases, people had hundreds or even thousands more mutations than people their age who had never had chemo.
These changes didn’t happen randomly. Certain chemotherapy drugs left behind specific patterns of DNA damage, kind of like fingerprints. These patterns were linked to the exact drugs people had taken—such as procarbazine, chlorambucil, and cisplatin.
2. Some Drugs Are More Damaging Than Others
Not all chemotherapy drugs had the same effect. Some caused a lot of DNA damage in healthy cells, while others caused very little. For example:
Procarbazine, chlorambucil, and bendamustine caused high levels of DNA mutations.
Cyclophosphamide, a drug often used in chemo, caused far fewer changes in blood cells.
This suggests that some chemo drugs may be safer for healthy cells than others—something researchers and doctors can consider when planning treatments in the future.
3. Chemo Can Make Blood Cells “Age” Faster
Normally, as we age, our blood cells slowly collect mutations, and some start to grow more than others. This process is called clonal hematopoiesis, and it's usually seen in older adults.
But in this study, some younger people who had chemotherapy showed these age-like changes years earlier than expected. Their blood cells looked like those of someone in their 70s—even though they were in their 40s.
This means that chemotherapy may cause some people’s blood to “age” faster, which might increase the risk of developing blood-related illnesses later in life, including certain types of leukemia.
What This Means for You
If you or a loved one has had chemotherapy, this study might sound a bit scary. But remember:
Chemo saves lives. Its benefits usually outweigh the risks.
These findings help doctors understand the long-term effects, so they can better monitor and support survivors.
In the future, this research may lead to safer treatment plans or ways to protect healthy cells during treatment.
What Can You Do?
Talk to your doctor about your treatment history and any long-term monitoring you may need.
Stay informed. Research like this helps improve care for cancer survivors.
Join survivorship programs or support groups to stay connected and empowered.
At HuMOLYTE, we believe knowledge is power. The more we understand about what happens during and after cancer treatment, the better we can care for our bodies—and each other.
If you found this helpful, share it with someone who might need it.
For more information on how HuMOLYTE can support your gut health during chemotherapy, visit our product page or consult your health care provider.
This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
