title: Prognostic impact of haemoglobin levels in breast cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many patients with solid tumours suffer from anaemia, as a consequence of the disease itself or its treatment. Anaemia affects the quality of life and can have a negative impact on overall survival. The aim of the current study was to analyse the impact of haemoglobin levels on the prognosis of patients with primary breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective data from 249 women treated for operable breast tumours were included in our study. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels independently of anticancer therapy were compared for the prognostic influence on disease-free and overall survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant correlation between higher minimum Hb level during chemotherapy and the disease-free and overall survival was found. Pre-treatment haemoglobin levels had no prognostic influence on the disease-free and overall survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present data showed that anaemia during adjuvant chemotherapy to be a negative prognostic indicator for survival of patients with breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johannes-Gutenberg-University Mainz, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55101 Mainz, Germany. dboehm@unimainz.de
authors.forename: Daniel Ulrich
authors.initials: DU
authors.lastname: Boehm
authors.forename: Antje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lebrecht
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Wulf
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Siggelkow
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lindner
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Litz
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ulbrich
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koelbl
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005047:Etoposide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D005047:Etoposide; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005472:Fluorouracil; D008727:Methotrexate