Guidelines for Complications of Cancer Treatment Vol VIII Part B

Cancer Induced Anemia (CIA)IntroductionThe past two decades have seen dramatic strides taken in themanagement of cancer. Longer survival amongst patients hasbeen attributed to the availability of better diagnostic tools,improved surgical techniques, precise delivery of radiation,superior cytotoxic drugs, and the advent of targeted therapy.The advances in supportive care have also significantlycontributed to improvement in morbidity and quality of life incancer patients. Despite these positives common toxicitiesassociated with cancer therapy exist and anemia remains acondition that is often overlooked, under treated, or justignored. Its existence has a detrimental impact on clinical andtreatment outcomes as well as a patient’s health-related qualityof life. The lack of a standard definition regarding whatconstitutes symptomatic anemia requiring an intervention andthe suboptimal assessment tools does magnify the problem ofcancer related anemia. Treatment interventions are directedtoward the underlying etiology and include ironsupplementation, blood transfusion, and administration ofrecombinant human erythropoietin.477