Abstract
BackgroundHemoglobin (Hb) levels are regarded as an important determinant of outcome in a number of cancers treated with radiotherapy. However, for patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), information regarding the prognostic value of hemoglobin level is scarce.Patients and MethodsA total of 650 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), enrolled between May, 2005, and November, 2012, were included in this study. The prognostic significance of hemoglobin level (anemia or no-anemia) at three different time points was investigated, including before treatment, during treatment and at the last week of treatment. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the log–rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model, respectively.ResultsThe 5-year OS (overall survival) rate of patients who were anemia and no-anemia before treatment were 89.1%, and 80.7% (P = 0.01), respectively. The 5-year DMFS (distant metastasis-free survival) rate of patients who were anemia and no-anemia before treatment were 88.9%, and 78.2% (P = 0.01), respectively. The 5-year OS rate of patients who were anemia and no-anemia during treatment were 91.7% and 83.3% (P = 0.004). According to multivariate analysis, the pre-treatment Hb level predicted a decreased DMFS (P = 0.007, HR = 2.555, 95% CI1.294–5.046). Besides, the mid-treatment Hb level predicted a decreased OS (P = 0.013, HR = 2.333, 95% CI1.199–4.541).ConclusionsHemoglobin level is a useful prognostic factor in NPC patients receiving IMRT. It is important to control the level of hemoglobin both before and during chemoradiotherapy.
Highlights
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare globally, but it is epidemic in southern China and Southeast Asia [1]
The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
It is important to control the level of hemoglobin both before and during chemoradiotherapy
Summary
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare globally, but it is epidemic in southern China and Southeast Asia [1]. The vast majority of NPCs are poorly differentiated, while a minority are well-differentiated squamous-cell carcinomas [3]. Radiotherapy is the primary therapy used and, when applied in combination with chemotherapy, is regarded to be the first-line treatment for locoregionally advanced NPC [6, 7]. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels are regarded as an important determinant of outcome in a number of cancers treated with radiotherapy, gynecological tumors and head and neck cancers [8–10]. Several studies have shown a positive relationship between Hb level and survival outcomes after three-dimensional radiotherapy in NPC [11–13]. Patients received conventional radiotherapy with or without concurrent chemotherapy in upon studies. Hemoglobin (Hb) levels are regarded as an important determinant of outcome in a number of cancers treated with radiotherapy. For patients treated with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), information regarding the prognostic value of hemoglobin level is scarce
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
