Anemia in patients on combined androgen block therapy for prostate cancer.
- Author:
Li-xin HUA
1
;
Hong-fei WU
;
Yuan-geng SUI
;
Shuang-guan CHENG
;
Zheng-quan XU
;
Wei ZHANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Androgen Antagonists; adverse effects; Anemia; chemically induced; Hematocrit; Hemoglobins; analysis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prostatic Neoplasms; blood; drug therapy
- From: Chinese Journal of Oncology 2003;25(5):496-497
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo study the effect of combined androgen block therapy on hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit value (Ht) in patients with prostate cancer.
METHODSOne hundred and thirty-six patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate were treated with combined androgen block (orchiectomy and flutamide 250 mg, Tid). Complete blood counts were detected before initiation and after 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of therapy.
RESULTSHb level declined significantly in all patients from a mean baseline of (136 +/- 14) g/L to (126 +/- 16) g/L, (121 +/- 14) g/L, (120 +/- 15) g/L, (113 +/- 12) g/L, (121 +/- 13) g/L and (123 +/- 15) g/L at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Ht decreased from a mean baseline of 0.424 +/- 0.041 to 0.390 +/- 0.038, 0.381 +/- 0.042, 0.378 +/- 0.038, 0.366 +/- 0.041, 0.384 +/- 0.039 and 0.387 +/- 0.040. The differences between Hb, Ht before and after treatment were significant (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONPatients with prostate cancer being treated with combined androgen block would develop a significant degree of anemia. Hemoglobin and hematocrit level should be monitored periodically. This kind of anemia can be treated by recombinant human erythropoietin.
