Can high dose chemotherapy damage the bone marrow?

Yes, high-dose chemotherapy can damage the bone marrow. This is because chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also the hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow responsible for producing blood cells. As a result, patients may experience decreased production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, leading to conditions like anemia, increased risk of infection, and bleeding complications. Recovery of bone marrow function may take time after treatment.