Cancer- and Chemotherapy-Induced Anemia

Abstract

Anemia is prevalent in 30% to 90% of patients with cancer. 1 Anemia can be corrected through treating the underlying cause or providing supportive care through either transfusion with packed red blood cells (PRBC) or administration of erythropoiesisstimulating agents (ESAs), with or without iron supplementation. Recent studies showing detrimental health effects of ESAs sparked a series of FDA label revisions and a sea change in the perception of these once commonly used agents. In light of this, these guidelines underwent substantial revisions. The purpose of these guidelines is 2-fold: 1) to operational-