A reduction in the number of cells in the blood, such as a shortage of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets.
From Greek 'kytos' (cell) + 'penia' (poverty/deficiency). The term was created to describe any cellular deficiency, though it's often used for blood cells specifically.
Cytopenia is dangerous because your blood becomes weak—fewer red cells mean less oxygen delivery, fewer white cells mean worse immunity, and fewer platelets mean your blood won't clot, which is why chemotherapy patients need careful monitoring.
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