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Chemotherapy-related anaemia in ovarian cancer patients treated with paclitaxel and a platinum compound – preliminary analysis

Magdalena Miedzińska-Maciejewska

Affiliacja i adres do korespondencji
GIN ONKOL 2006, 4 (3), p. 151-159
Streszczenie

Aim: The aim of the paper is to evaluate the problem of anaemia in patients treated with paclitaxel and cis- or carboplatin as a first line treatment for ovarian cancer. Material and methods: The analysis comprised patients who completed 6 cycles of chemotherapy and who commenced the treatment not sooner than in 2004. The patients were not selected in any way with respect to anaemia. The data concerning the haemoglobin concentration and the management of anaemia were collected retrospectively. The blood counts taken into consideration had been performed on the day of the chemotherapy or on the previous day. Results: The patients’ age ranged from 31 to 78. Patients with FIGO IIIC stage ovarian cancer accounted for 67.5% of the whole group. The haemoglobin concentration at the beginning of the treatment was 9.5 – 14.4 g/dl (average 11.8 g/dl). In the course of subsequent chemotherapy cycles, a gradual decrease was observed, down to the values of 7.2 – 13.8 g/dl (average 10.9 g/dl) at the 6th cycle. In 52 patients, at least one count was below 11 g/dl, including 13 patients with haemoglobin below 9 g/dl. Chemotherapy had to be postponed due to anaemia in 10 patients; 9 patients required erythrocyte concentrate transfusion. No patients was administered epoietin and 3 patients were administered alpha-darbepoietin. Conclusions: 30% of the patients in the whole group maintained a haemoglobin concentration above 11 g/dl in the course of treatment. This fact implies that anaemia is very common in ovarian cancer patients treated with paclitaxel and a platinum compound. However, the prophylaxis or management of anaemia still seems to be insufficient, despite the availability of erythropoietic proteins.

Słowa kluczowe
anaemia, erythropoietic proteins, chemotherapy, supportive care, ovarian cancer