What is a key consideration when treating a patient with leukemia?

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Leukemia disrupts normal blood cell production in the bone marrow, so red blood cell production often drops, causing moderate to severe anemia. This anemia is a central concern because it directly affects a patient’s energy, endurance, and oxygen delivery to tissues, shaping many treatment decisions such as the need for red blood cell transfusions and close monitoring for hypoxia. While patients may also experience infections from low white cells or bleeding from low platelets, the predictable and impactful anemia due to marrow suppression is a key factor in how leukemia is managed. It isn’t cured by antibiotics, and it can affect people of any gender.