Definition
An abnormally low platelet count, robbing your blood of its clotting minions and making every bump potentially problematic. It's when your body forgets to order enough of the cells that stop bleeding.
Example Usage
Chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia required platelet transfusion before the surgical procedure could proceed.
Origin
From Greek 'thrombos' (clot) + 'kytos' (cell) + 'penia' (deficiency)
Fun Fact
Normal platelet count is 150,000-400,000 per microliter; below 10,000, spontaneous bleeding can occur even without injury, which is why chemotherapy patients are monitored so closely.
Source: Hematology and oncology clinical standards
Related Terms
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