INADEQUATE IRON THERAPY CANNOT PREVENT ANEMIA FOLLOWING CHEMOTHERAPY IN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS
Dr. Saha Tanima*, Dr. Banerjee Sanatan, Dr. Bhattacharyya Swati,Dr. Biswas Supreeti
ABSTRACT
Context: Anemia is a frequent finding in cancer patients, occurring in
>40% of cases. Incidence of anemia may rise to 90% after
chemotherapy. Anemia exerts a negative influence on the quality of
life of cancer patients. Aims: To observe prevalence and incidence of
chemotherapy induced anemia in breast cancer patients, with prior and
concomitant iron supplementation in our setting. Settings and
Design: A retrospective cum prospective study was conducted for 6
months in Radiotherapy Department of our institute. Methods and
Materials: Patients receiving chemotherapy regimen comprised of 5-
Fluorouracil, Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide, with prior iron
supplementation were selected. Data regarding patients’ demographic profile, regimen given
and hemoglobin level were collected. Patients were considered to be anemic if hemoglobin
value was <12 g/dl. Statistical analysis used: Repeated measures ANOVA with bonferroni
correction was done. Results: A total of 52 patients, aged between 35-60 yrs were
interviewed. Prevalence of anemia at enrolment was 78.8%, of which 73.2% mild and 26.8%
moderate. Mild anemia in 17.3%, moderate anemia in 63.5% and severe anemia in 19.2%
were developed following chemotherapy (6 cycles). Conclusion: This study reveals a high
prevalence and incidence of anemia following chemotherapy for breast cancer, even with
prior iron supplementation. This may interfere with their normal daily activities, quality of
life and treatment outcome. Thus careful monitoring and appropriate treatment should be
given to those patients to improve their prognosis and quality of life.
Keywords: Anemia, Breast cancer, Chemotherapy, 5-Fluorouracil, Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide.
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