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Hypoxia and anaemia in patients with cancer of the uterine cervix

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Abstract

Hypoxia and/or anaemia have an adverse prognostic impact in locally-advanced cancers of uterine cervix. Moreover, these parameters are independent of other well-known prognostic factors. However, the mechanisms by which treatment efficacy and survival are compromised by anaemia are not fully understood.

Although it is clear that erythropoietin can reduce the need for transfusions for cancer patients with anaemia, there is no proof that the use of erythropoietin is in any way superior to transfusions with respect to the impact on clinical outcome, especially for patients receiving radiation therapy.

Whether haemoglobin levels at the start of therapy, during therapy, or at the end of therapy are of prognostic value for better disease-free and overall survival, are matters for further studies as is the question of the best option for increasing the level of the patient’s haemoglobin.

Resumen

La hipoxia y/o la anemia son factores pronósticos en los tumores localmente avanzados de cérvix. Además, estos parámetros son independientes de otros factores pronósticos conocidos. Sin embargo, los mecanismos por los cuales la eficacia del tratamiento y la supervivencia se ven afectados por la existencia de anemia no están del todo claros.

Aunque parece evidente que la eritropoyetina puede reducir la necesidad de realizar transfusiones en las pacientes anémicas con cáncer, no hay pruebas concluyentes que su uso sea superior a las transfusiones, con respecto a los resultados del tratamiento con radiaciones ionizantes.

Si los niveles de hemoglobina al principio, durante o al final de la radioterapia son factores pronóstico para la supervivencia libre de enfermedad o la supervivencia global, así como cuál es la mejor opción terapéutica para mejorar los niveles de hemoglobina, está todavía por determinar.

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  1. Servicio de Oncología Radioterápica, Hospital Universitari Sant Joan, Crta. Ncnal. 332 Alacant/València s/n, 05550, Sant Joan d'Alacant. Alicante, Spain

    Francisco José Andreu-Martínez & Julia M. Martínez-Mateu

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Andreu-Martínez, F.J., Martínez-Mateu, J.M. Hypoxia and anaemia in patients with cancer of the uterine cervix. Clin Transl Oncol 7, 323–331 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02716547

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