An epidemiological review of red cell transfusions in cancer chemotherapy.

Abstract

In this patient cohort, red blood cell transfusion was infrequent (12%). However, patient groups at high risk of transfusion could be identified, with platinum-based chemotherapy being the most significant contributing factor. The information obtained from this multicentre study may prove helpful in developing supportive care guidelines for the management of chemotherapy-related anemia requiring transfusion.