Incidence of anemia in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced esophagogastric cancer.

Voelter, V; Schuhmacher, C; Busch, R; Peschel, C; Siewert, JR; Lordick, F

doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.01.049

journal article

Document type:: Journal Article; Article
Author(s):: Voelter, V; Schuhmacher, C; Busch, R; Peschel, C; Siewert, JR; Lordick, F
Title:: Incidence of anemia in patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced esophagogastric cancer.
Abstract:: BACKGROUND: There is rising evidence that anemia and blood transfusion increase perioperative mortality in cancer patients. Patients who are treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a curative intent are exposed to toxicity that may negatively affect their future outcome. METHODS: The charts of 29 patients (21 males; median age, 59.5 years; range, 37 to 73), receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy for cT3 esophagogastric adenocarcinoma operated at a single university center in the year 2002, were retrospectively reviewed to assess the incidence of anemia and blood transfusions. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients received platinum-based chemotherapy over a period of 12 weeks and three patients more than 6 weeks. The median hemoglobin level (Hb level) before chemotherapy was 14.0 g/dL (range, 10.4 to 15.9 g/dL), the median decline of the Hb level was 2.9 g/dL (range, 0.3 to 6.3 g/dL); this drop was statistically significant (p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval). Patients who received preoperative blood transfusions (n = 8, 28%) had a significantly increased risk of developing postoperative complications (p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative chemotherapy for locally advanced esophagogastric cancer induces anemia and therefore leads to preoperative blood supplementation in a considerable number of patients. Data indicate that this may counteract the beneficial effects of neoadjuvant treatment.
Journal title abbreviation:: Ann Thorac Surg
Year:: 2004
Journal volume:: 78
Journal issue:: 3
Pages contribution:: 1037-41
Language:: eng
Fulltext / DOI:: doi:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2004.01.049
Pubmed ID:: http://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15337044
Print-ISSN:: 0003-4975
TUM Institution:: Chirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik; III. Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik (Hämatologie / Onkologie); Institut für Medizinische Statistik und Epidemiologie
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