Open AccessBlood transfusion practices in cancer surgery
Author(s) -
Juan P. Cata,
Vijaya Gottumukkala
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
indian journal of anaesthesia/indian journal of anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.645
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 0976-2817
pISSN - 0019-5049
DOI - 10.4103/0019-5049.144675
Subject(s) - medicine , platelet , fresh frozen plasma , immune system , colorectal cancer , cancer , blood transfusion , complication , cancer surgery , surgery , blood product , immunology
Cancer patients are commonly transfused with blood products immediately before, during or after major surgery. Blood loss and haemodilution are the most common causes of red blood cells (RBCs) administration and coagulopathies are the indications for the infusion of fresh-frozen plasma (FFP), cryoprecipitates and platelets. Transfusion-related immune modulation is a complication associated with the administration of blood products. A decreased immune surveillance as a consequence of blood transfusions has been linked to cancer recurrence and progression. Moreover, soluble factors present in packed RBCs, platelets and FFP can directly stimulate tumour growth and spread. Two meta-analyses suggest that the administration of blood products is associated with shorter recurrence-free survival and overall survival after colorectal cancer surgery. More studies are needed to show such association in different cancer patient populations.