Effect of intravenously administered iron sucrose on the prevention of anemia in the cervical cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of anemia in the cervical cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy is estimated to be more than 50%. Transfusion has been the mainstay of hematologic support with its inherent hazards including infection and transfusion reaction. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of intravenously administered iron sucrose on the prevention of anemia in the cervical cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: From Oct. 2003 to Dec. 2005, 75 patients were treated with platinum-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Thirty patients received 200 mg of iron sucrose intravenously (study group) and 45 patients did not receive it (control group). RESULTS: In the study group, only 12 (40.0%) patients required blood transfusions, whereas 29 (64.0%) patients in the control group needed blood transfusions (P=0.04). Mean transfusion units were 1.87 units in the study group and 3.58 units in the control group (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: This study showed that intravenous supply of iron sucrose could decrease transfusion requirement and increase serum hemoglobin level in patients with cervical carcinoma undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Therefore, intravenously administered iron sucrose would be effective in the prevention of anemia of cervical cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy.