title: The influence of blood transfusions upon the recurrence rate of colorectal cancer.
abstract: A retrospective study of 325 consecutive patients suffering colorectal adenocarcinoma, allowed in 141, the determination of the influence of blood transfusion upon the risk of recurrence/metastases over a minimum observation period of 6 months. Of 29 patients not receiving blood transfusion, 6 were subjected to recurrence/metastases. Of 112 patients receiving blood transfusion, 45 suffered recurrence/metastases. No significant difference in the risk of developing recurrence/metastases was seen when the primary tumor was Dukes' class A and C. When the primary tumor was Dukes' class B, a significantly higher risk of recurrence/metastases was seen in the group receiving blood transfusion. A constrained use of blood transfusion in connection with colorectal surgery is recommended until definitive immunological studies determined the influence of blood transfusion upon the risk of recurrence/metastases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Sundby Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kjems
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schydlowski
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Søndergaard
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D001803:Blood Transfusion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors