The use of erythropoietin in gynecologic cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible benefits of erythroproietin ingestion in patients with various gynecological cancers with proven severe iron deficiency anemia.


METHODS
Seven patients with gynecological cancer were included in the study. Nadir hematocrit values were found to be 20-24% before the initiation of recombinant human erythropoietin treatment. Initial therapy started at 50 units/kg/dose, three times weekly for a month. The dose was modified according to the rise of hemoglobin after a month's period. The dose was modified according to the rise of hemoglobin after a month's period. If the rise was greater than 2 g/dl the dose was changed to 25 units/kg two times weekly and if it was less than 2 g/dl it was changed to 25 units/kg three times weekly per month. Five patients were simultaneously given erythropoietin therapy and iron supplementation.


RESULTS
We confirmed a rise in the hematocrit values which averaged 0.5-1.5% weekly till the upper limit. Reticulocyte and hematocrit values were higher in the erythropoietin plus iron group (five cases).


CONCLUSIONS
In this small series, erythropoietin appeared to be effective in treating severe iron deficiency in gynecologic cancer patients. Further investigation is needed to confirm these results.
Kourounis
G
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Patras University, Greece.
Iatrakis
G
G
Chronopoulos
K
K
Liatsos
K
K
Ladopoulos
I
I
D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin