What is a possible hematological side effect of combination chemotherapy?

The selection of immunosuppression as a possible hematological side effect of combination chemotherapy is accurate because many chemotherapy agents target rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also bone marrow cells responsible for producing blood components such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. This can lead to a decrease in the overall immune response as the production of essential immune cells is suppressed.

In the context of chemotherapy, immunosuppression raises the risk for infections and can complicate the overall treatment plan, as patients may be more vulnerable to illnesses due to a weakened immune system.

The other options represent conditions that are either not commonly associated with chemotherapy or related to different pathological processes. Thrombocytosis, which refers to an increased platelet count, is typically not a direct effect of chemotherapy. Pleural effusion, although it can occur in cancer patients, is more commonly associated with advanced disease or certain types of malignancies rather than a direct side effect of chemotherapy. Sideroblastic anemia is a rare type of anemia that usually involves disorders of iron metabolism and does not typically arise from chemotherapy treatments.