A recent study from the Journal of the American Medical Association has confirmed that the use of Epogen, Procrit, and Arenesp to treat anemia in cancer patients has been linked to a 57% increased risk of blood clots and a 10% increased risk of death. The report shows that when hemoglobin, a blood marker used to measure anemia, reaches above 12 g/dl, the risk is high for both death and clots.
Anemia is common in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Chemo and radiation can destroy bone marrow, the quickly growing cells in your bone that make blood cells. A lack of these blood cells can cause you to feel very weak and tired, a common sign of anemia. Without blood cells, oxygen cannot be transported efficiently though your blood. This level can be measure by the amount of hemoglobin in your blood.
Should you be worried? Yes, if your hemoglobin is above 12 g/dl, otherwise, the bone marrow stimulating drugs should be used. If you have any questions, contact your doctor and let him know of the new data. If you are feeling weak and on chemotherapy or radiation therapy, these drugs could still help and be safe, just make sure your doctor is monitoring you correctly.
September 27, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Hi. That you said very precisely. Raised some interesting questions for which there is no answer. The author wrote very well.