Anaemia and thrombocytopenia in patients with prostate cancer and bone metastases

• Main Authors: Pawinski Adam, Haukland Ellinor, Nieder Carsten, Dalhaug Astrid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2010-06-01
• Series: BMC Cancer
• Online Access: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/10/284
• ISSN: 1471-2407

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, risk factors and prognostic impact of anaemia and thrombocytopenia in patients with bone metastases (BM) from prostate cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Retrospective cohort study including 51 consecutive patients treated at a community hospital. Twenty-nine patients (57%) received taxotere after diagnosis of BM.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Haemoglobin (Hb) ≤ 12.0 g/dL at BM detection was associated with shorter overall survival. During follow-up, 25 patients (49%) experienced episodes with Hb < 10 g/dL unrelated to side effects of cancer therapy. Fifteen patients required red blood cell transfusion. Median time from diagnosis of BM to Hb < 10 g/dL was 23 months. Median survival from Hb < 10 g/dL was 5.4 months. There was no factor predicting for Hb < 10 g/dL. Five patients (10%) developed thrombocyte (Trc) count <50 × 10⁹/L. All of these had previously received blood transfusion. Median interval from Hb < 10 g/dL to Trc < 50 × 10⁹/L was 2.5 months. Survival after thrombocytopenia was short (3 weeks to 4 months). Haematuria and subdural haematoma were among the causes of death.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We found high rates of significant bone marrow failure in treatment-refractory patients. Both Hb < 10 g/dL and Trc < 50 × 10⁹/L predict for unfavourable survival.</p>