Role of recombinant human erythropoietin in the treatment of cancer-related anaemia

• Authors: Tomasz Jankowski , Tomasz Kubiatowski
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Anaemia is one of the most frequently diagnosed complications in cancer patients and also occurs during the course of cancer treatment. The condition can be observed in as many as 60–70% of patients who receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy. As a cancer symptom, it is found in 30% of cases and is particularly severe when accompanied by kidney failure. In patients undergoing cancer therapy, anaemia is treated with PRBC transfusions and/or recombinant human erythropoietin. The article discusses 3 case studies of patients with late-stage cancer (pleural mesothelioma, urothelial kidney carcinoma, and lung carcinoma), who suffered from moderate to severe anaemia during aggressive treatment with chemo- and radiotherapy. All 3 patients were treated with erythropoietin, which made it possible for them to stay on chemotherapy and/or undergo radiotherapy. Thanks to erythropoietin, they did not require PRBC transfusions and their general condition and quality of life improved. They tolerated the treatment well and no complications were observed.

Keywords

EN

anaemia; chemotherapy; erythropoietin; radiotherapy

Discipline

• MEDICINE: MEDICINE

• Publisher: Medical Education
• Journal: OncoReview
• Year: 2017
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 98-103

Contributors

author

Tomasz Jankowski

• Oncology Ward, John of Dukla Oncology Centre in Lublin

author

Tomasz Kubiatowski

• Oncology Ward, John of Dukla Oncology Centre in Lublin

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• Document Type: article