Anemia in malignant neoplastic disease (MND) is defined as a decrease in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration below the normal value (usually 120 g / l), due to both the presence of the tumor itself and its treatment.
According to statistics, this condition is detected in every third cancer patient, and during chemotherapy, in more than 90% of cases.
The danger of anemia in oncology is in fact that along with a decrease in the level of hemoglobin and red blood cells, the oxygen capacity of the blood also decreases. This factor adversely affects the course of the cancer process, reduces the effectiveness of treatment and worsens further prognosis.
Main causes of anemia in cancer patients
Decrease in the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin could develop due to decrease in their formation, accelerated destruction, or as a result of loss. Each of these reasons has its own factors.
Insufficient production of blood corpuscles and hemoglobin could develop with damage to the bone marrow, lack of iron in the body or some vitamins (folic acid, vitamin B12). These conditions could be directly related to cancer. For example, iron loss could develop as a result of constant vomiting, lack of appetite and impaired absorption in the intestine, which is affected by the tumor process. Some types of medications that are prescribed for malignant tumors inhibit the growth not only cancer cells, but also blood cells that are actively dividing. Also, anemia could develop with direct damage to the bone marrow by the tumor process.
Accelerated destruction of red blood cells is noted when exposed to various medications and immune system abnormal activity. The destruction of red blood cells directly in the vessels is called intravascular hemolysis. This process occurs normally after the end of erythrocytes life cycle, which is 120 days. However, under the influence of various factors (taking antibiotics, cytostatics, secondary infection, etc.), this period is significantly reduced, which results in development of anemia.
Blood loss in cancer patients could be both acute and chronic. The first option occurs during the surgical treatment of cancer, as well as with the development of internal bleeding, which is a frequent complication of the main disease. Development of anemia in chronic blood loss is noted in cases where there is a hidden source of minor bleeding. For example, in colorectal cancer, blood may be excreted in the feces without the patient's notice.
For the treatment of anemia, modern oncology could offer various methods that affect the mechanisms of this symptom development. The exact therapy plan is selected individually for each patient, taking into account laboratory blood counts, treatment characteristics of the main disease and other parameters.
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