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Anaemia in cancer patients: pathophysiology, incidence and treatment
Author(s) -
Bokemeyer C.,
Oechsle K.,
Hartmann J.T.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
european journal of clinical investigation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.164
H-Index - 107
eISSN - 1365-2362
pISSN - 0014-2972
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2005.01527.x
Subject(s) - pathophysiology , medicine , incidence (geometry) , cancer , cancer incidence , oncology , physics , optics
This review focuses on the pathophysiology, incidence and treatment of anaemia in cancer patients. Causative factors such as different chemotherapy regimens and patient risk factors for the development of anaemia are discussed in order to identify the patient group that is most likely to receive red blood cell transfusions and would thus have the largest benefit from treatment with erythropoietic proteins. The data available with recombinant human erythropoietin alfa, recombinant human erythropoietin beta and darbepoetin alfa are described in more detail and the significant benefit of treating cancer anaemia by these molecules is outlined. Finally, differences in treatment approaches between these erythropoietic proteins are discussed in order to guide treatment decisions specific for the individual patients’ situation.