Anemia (low red blood cells) have many causes. During chemotherapy, it is usually due to suppression of your bone marrow (organs that make red blood cells). Cancer also releases chemicals (cytokines) that can suppress your kidney from making erythropoetin (protein that induces your bone marrow to produce red blood cells). In most of my patients undergoing active chemotherapy, iron deficiency anemia is not common.
Most anemias from cancer or chemotherapy are treated with blood transfusion. Blood transfusion can rapidly replenish your blood and make you feel better quickly. But blood transfusion has risks such as transfusion reaction, infection (HIV, hepatitis, etc) and others. With advancement of testings, blood transfusion risks have decreased markedly. In some selected cases, artificial erythropoetin may be given. There are some studies that suggest giving erythropoetin may induce blood clot and cancer growth. Thus, discuss with your oncologist before hand.
Reference:
Most anemias from cancer or chemotherapy are treated with blood transfusion. Blood transfusion can rapidly replenish your blood and make you feel better quickly. But blood transfusion has risks such as transfusion reaction, infection (HIV, hepatitis, etc) and others. With advancement of testings, blood transfusion risks have decreased markedly. In some selected cases, artificial erythropoetin may be given. There are some studies that suggest giving erythropoetin may induce blood clot and cancer growth. Thus, discuss with your oncologist before hand.
Reference:
- Santoso JT. Saunders B, Grosshart K. Massive blood
transfusion in obstetrics & gynecology.
Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2005 Dec;60(12):827-837
- Santoso JT. Lin D, Miller DS.
Transfusion medicine in obstetrics and gynecology. Obstet Gynecol Surv 50(6):
470-481, 1995
No comments:
Post a Comment