Marek Z. Wojtukiewicz, Zbigniew Sawicki, Mariola Kucharewicz

Niedokrwistość u chorych na nowotwory i jej leczenie
2007-02-01

Anaemia and its treatment in cancer patients. Natural course of cancer as well as antineoplastic treatment of cancer patients are associated with numerous complications, including pain, nausea, vomiting, anorexia and fatigue. It is well documented that there is a close association between haemoglobin (Hb) level, fatigue and quality of life. Management of anaemia in cancer patients is multifaceted, including - among others - erythrocyte transfusional support or treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). Several studies documented the effectiveness of EPO in anemic cancer patients in terms of increasing their hemoglobin levels and consequently improving overall quality of their life. Therefore, at present EPO is recommended for treatment of patients with cancer-related anaemia.