Characteristics and outcome of breast cancer-related microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia: a multicentre study (original) (raw)

Cancer-Related Microangiopathic Hemolytic Anemia Clinical and Laboratory Features in 168 Reported Cases

Cancer-related microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (CR-MAHA) is a paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia with schistocytes and thrombocytopenia. We reviewed and analyzed all cases of CR-MAHA reported since 1979 (the time of the last published review on this topic) according to predefined criteria. We found 154 cases associated with solid cancer and 14 with lymphoma. Among the solid cancers, gastric, breast, prostate, lung, and cancer of unknown primary (CUP) were most common; 91.8% of cancers were metastatic, and in 19.4% of solid cancers CR-MAHA did not occur until recurrence of cancer. Lymphoma cases included Hodgkin disease, angiotropic lymphoma, diffuse large cell lymphoma, and myeloma. Evaluation of the clinical and laboratory findings revealed that only a minority of cases presented with the features of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), with the exception of prostate cancer, where aHUS was a common presentation. Compared to hereditary or immune TTP or aHUS, disseminated intravascular coagulation and pulmonary symptoms were more common in CR-MAHA. Plasma exchange or fresh frozen plasma was rarely effective except in prostate cancer patients with aHUS. CR-MAHA responded to antitumor therapy in many patients with gastric, breast, lung, and CUP cancers. These patients had a superior survival compared to patients without chemotherapy. Compared to the prognosis of patients with metastatic cancer without CR-MAHA, the prognosis of CR-MAHA patients was greatly inferior. There is evidence that some cases of CR-MAHA in lymphoma are immune mediated.

Cancer-related microangiopathic hemolytic anemia

Transfusion, 2016

Cancer-related microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (CR-MAHA) is a paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by Coombs-negative hemolytic anemia with schistocytes and thrombocytopenia. We reviewed and analyzed all cases of CR-MAHA reported since 1979 (the time of the last published review on this topic) according to predefined criteria. We found 154 cases associated with solid cancer and 14 with lymphoma. Among the solid cancers, gastric, breast, prostate, lung, and cancer of unknown primary (CUP) were most common; 91.8% of cancers were metastatic, and in 19.4% of solid cancers CR-MAHA did not occur until recurrence of cancer. Lymphoma cases included Hodgkin disease, angiotropic lymphoma, diffuse large cell lymphoma, and myeloma. Evaluation of the clinical and laboratory findings revealed that only a minority of cases presented with the features of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) or atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), with the exception of prostate cancer, where aHUS was a common presentation. Compared to hereditary or immune TTP or aHUS, disseminated intravascular coagulation and pulmonary symptoms were more common in CR-MAHA. Plasma exchange or fresh frozen plasma was rarely effective except in prostate cancer patients with aHUS. CR-MAHA responded to antitumor therapy in many patients with gastric, breast, lung, and CUP cancers. These patients had a superior survival compared to patients without chemotherapy. Compared to the prognosis of patients with metastatic cancer without CR-MAHA, the prognosis of CR-MAHA patients was greatly inferior. There is evidence that some cases of CR-MAHA in lymphoma are immune mediated. (Medicine 2012;91: 195Y205) Abbreviations: ADAMTS = a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 repeats, aHUS = atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, CR-MAHA = cancer-related microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, CUP = cancer of unknown primary, DIC = disseminated intravascular coagulation, MAHA = microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, NHL = non-Hodgkin lymphoma, TTP = thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

[Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia associated with neoplasms: an analysis of 5 cases and a review of the literature]

PubMed, 1994

From January of 1990 to June of 1993 a diagnosis of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MHA) was made in 5 out off 121 new patients with malignant tumor. There were 3 females and 2 males, with a mean age of 57 yr (range: 43-75), and a primary tumor in stomach (n = 2), pancreas (n = 1) and of unknown origin (n = 2). In all cases histologic type was adenocarcinoma and diagnosis was obtained by marrow examination. Four patients developed a disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome. Intravascular deposits of fibrin, intimal proliferation and tumoral microembolisms were noted in 2 cases. Patients did not received chemotherapy, and the median survival was 7 days (range: 3-61).

Incidence of Anaemia in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 2003

Anaemia is frequent in breast cancer patients but often remains undiagnosed and untreated. To determine the incidence of anaemia a prospective survey of primary non-metastatic breast cancer patients who received at least four cycles of adjuvant, non-platinum multi-agent chemotherapy was conducted at 47 centres in Austria. Two hundred and forty seven patients were prospectively included between October 1999 and December 1999. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels were determined after surgery and prior to each cycle of chemotherapy. Treatment of anaemia (blood transfusion or epoetin alfa) during the observation period was at the physician's discretion. For the purpose of this study, patients were considered to be anaemic if their Hb was below 12 g/dl. At baseline (after surgery and before the first cycle of chemotherapy), 28.7% of all patients were anaemic. The only significant differentiating factor was the type of surgery. 37.9% of patients who underwent mastectomy were anaemic, whereas only 22.8% of patients who underwent breast conserving surgery were anaemic. Forty two percent of 176 patients with a Hb level of ≥12 g/dl at baseline developed anaemia during adjuvant chemotherapy. The only factor that significantly influenced the development of anaemia during chemotherapy was the Hb level at baseline. The total incidence of anaemia in patients with primary breast cancer who underwent surgery followed by adjuvant multi-agent chemotherapy was 58.7%. Forty nine patients (20.2%), 48 patients (19.2%) and 48 patients (19.2%) showed a decrease in Hb levels by 1 g/dl, 1-2 g/dl and >2 g/dl, respectively. Only 18.6% of the patients who were found to be anaemic received anaemia treatment. The two most important factors for developing anaemia are the kind of surgery and the Hb level prior to chemotherapy.

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure in patients treated for adenocarcinoma

Cancer, 1981

Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia secondary to disseminated intravascular coagulation is a well-described complication of widely metastatic carcinoma. The authors report four cases of gastric carcinoma, one case of colon cancer, and one case of adenocarcinoma of unknown primary in which the patient developed a syndrome analagous to thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, consisting of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal failure without definite evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. In contrast to previous reports, postmortem examination in three of the cases revealed no recurrence or only microscopic foci of residual tumor. In the remaining three, there was clinical and pathologic evidence of grossly disseminated carcinoma. Also in contrast to previous cases, all patients evidenced azotemia and proteinuria at the onset of the syndrome and ultimately uremia was a contributing cause of death. Coagulation profiles showed prolonged thrombin times and elevated fibrin degradation products in four instances and did not distinguish the patients with grossly metastatic disease from those with no tumor or only microscopic residua. Circulating immune complexes containing carcinoembryonic antigen were found in the patient with metastatic colon carcinoma. The syndrohe was clinically identical whether or not grossly metastatic tumor was present, and it should not be attributed to advanced disease without definite clinical or pathologic evidence of a recurrence.

Anaemia in cancer patients: pathophysiology, incidence and treatment

European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2005

This review focuses on the pathophysiology, incidence and treatment of anaemia in cancer patients. Causative factors such as different chemotherapy regimens and patient risk factors for the development of anaemia are discussed in order to identify the patient group that is most likely to receive red blood cell transfusions and would thus have the largest benefit from treatment with erythropoietic proteins. The data available with recombinant human erythropoietin alfa, recombinant human erythropoietin beta and darbepoetin alfa are described in more detail and the significant benefit of treating cancer anaemia by these molecules is outlined. Finally, differences in treatment approaches between these erythropoietic proteins are discussed in order to guide treatment decisions specific for the individual patients' situation.

Anaemia in cancer: pathophysiology and treatment

Cancer Treatment Reviews, 2000

Anaemia in cancer patients is multifactorial and may occur as a either a direct effect of the cancer, as a result of the cancer treatment itself, or due to chemical factors produced by the cancer.The clinical symptoms of anaemia vary according to the individual's capacity to respond to blood loss or reduced red cell production. The haematological features in anaemic patients depend on the different types of malignant disease. Clinical and laboratory evaluation, and examination of the bone marrow can provide important diagnostic clues in many cases. Decisions are commonly made based on subjective consideration rather than on objective data. Blood transfusion involves many hazards, some of which may be reduced or avoided. Erythropoietin (EPO) treatment has been found to be effective in preventing anaemia and in reducing the need for blood transfusions, although it would be useful to identify high-risk patient subgroups who would benefit most from this expensive treatment. In advanced cancer patients the use of blood transfusion should be evaluated on an individual basis, according to the presence of distressing symptoms and life expectancy.These measures are unlikely to have an effect in irreversible and progressive bleeding states.

Current trends in the management of anaemia in solid tumours and haematological malignancies

Current Opinion in Supportive & Palliative Care, 2016

Purpose of review Anaemia is a common problem in patients with solid tumors and haematological malignancies. Certain cancer therapies also contribute to anaemia. This article reviews the pathophysiology of cancer-related anaemia, investigation of a cancer patient with anaemia as well as how anaemia impacts patients in terms of quality of life, disease-related outcomes and treatment choices. Recent findings Different treatments for anaemia include transfusions, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) and iron therapy. Within this context, we review the advantages and disadvantages concerning anaemia management in cancer patients as well as the risk-benefit ratio of different treatment choices, particularly the increased risk of thromboembolic events of ESAs and concern around mortality and effect on tumor growth. Summary This review is aimed at guiding treating physicians to make the best evidence-based treatment choices according to the product label and according to current guidelines for patients with cancer-related anaemia.

Incidence and Risk Factors of Anemia in Breast Cancer Patients having Chemotherapy in Dr. Moewardi Hospital

Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Sport Science, Health, and Physical Education (ICSSHPE 2018), 2019

The prevalence of breast cancer at Dr. Moewardi Hospital is currently ranked first on oncology cases at 18.92%. Chemotherapy is effective in fighting cancer cells, reducing tumor size, and giving a good prognosis in patients. Side effects of chemotherapy are indigestion with a manifestation of decreased food intake which has an impact on nutritional status and hemoglobin levels. Risk factors causing anemia are chemotherapy cycle, body mass index (BMI), age and initial hemoglobin. Objective: To determine the predictive factors of anemia caused by chemotherapy. Method: observational with cross sectional design. Subjects of the study were 115 patients aged 30-60 years who were taken randomly. Multivariate analysis with logistic regression to find the basic risk factors for anemia. Results: Anemia prevalence was 87%. The occurrence of anemia was significantly associated with four risk factors: Chemotherapy cycle (OR=0.282; 95% CI=0.078-1.015;p=0.053), BMI (OR = 7.544; 95% CI=0.962-59.174;p=0.054), Age (OR=0.925; 95% CI=0.396-2.180;p=0.865), Hb at baseline (OR=2.0; 95% CI=1.539-2.599;p=0.001). Conclusion: Identification of chemotherapy risk factors such as chemotherapy cycles, age, BMI, and Hb levels are important for patients at risk for anemia. These risk factors Hb at baseline are significantly associated with anemia in chemotherapy patients.

Prevalence and management of anaemia in patients with non-myeloid cancer undergoing systemic therapy: a Spanish survey

Clinical and Translational Oncology, 2013

Background The present study aimed to provide updated data on anaemia prevalence and management in cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy in Spain. Methods This was a multicenter, observational, crosssectional study performed in 2008. Eligible patients were C18 years, with non-myeloid malignancies treated with systemic therapy [chemotherapy (CT), hormonal therapy or immunotherapy]. Anaemia was defined according to WHO as haemoglobin (Hb) \ 12 g/dL. Results The study included 214 patients with a median age of 63 years (range 20-91), 58 % women, 73 % with solid tumours, and 79 % with advanced disease. CT was used in 91 % of patients (26 % with platinum compounds), hormonal therapy in 8.5 %, and immunotherapy in 8.5 %. In our study, 48.1 % of patients [95 % confidence interval (CI) 45.2-58.6] showed anaemia (31 % symptomatic):