Anemia evaluation in oncologic patients in the emergency room

Abstract

e20714 Background: Anemia is a very common diagnosis in oncologic patients and it can be produced by different causes. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence and causes of anemia in oncologic patients who consults in the emergency room. Methods: From October 2007 to October 2008, all oncologic patiens who consulted in the emergency room were collected. We analyze the prevalence of anemia and its causes. Tumor location is described too. Results: Of the 560 patients collected, 223 (39.82%) were diagnosed of anemia. 64 of them (28.7%) had lung cancer, 33 (14.8%) breast cancer, 32 (14.3%) colon cancer, 15 (6.7%) bladder cancer, 15 (6.7%) prostate cancer, 13 (5.8%) head and neck cancer, and 51 (22.5%) other malignancies. Median haemoglobin level was 10 (range 4.2–11.9). As etiology was identified chemotherapy toxicity in 113 patients (50.7%), anemia of chronic disease in 65 (29.1%), tumoral bleeding in 41 (18.4%), and non-tumoral upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 4 (1.8%). Conclusions: Anemia is a very common diagnosis in oncologic patients, mainly in lung and breast cancer. The most frequent causes of anemia are chemotherapy toxicity and chronic disease. No significant financial relationships to disclose.