title: Diagnosis and management of anaemia and iron deficiency in patients with haematological malignancies or solid tumours in France in 2009-2010: the AnemOnHe study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the management of anaemia in 2009-2010 in France in patients with haematological malignancies (HM) or solid tumours (ST).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective observational study in 57 centres, enrolling adult patients with HM or ST treated for an episode of anaemia (duration of the episode ≥ 3 months occurring in the last 12 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  220 patients with ST (breast, 18%; lung, 18%) and 56 with HM (lymphoma, 60%) were included (median age, 68 years; female, 53%). Mean haemoglobin level at anaemia diagnosis was 9.3 ± 1.4 g/dL (<8 g/dL for 16%) and 9.8 ± 1.1g/dL (<8 g/dL for 6%) in HM and ST patients, respectively. At least one parameter of iron deficiency (ferritin, transferrin saturation) was assessed in 26% of HM and 19% of ST patients. Treatment of anaemia included erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) for 98% of HM and 89% of ST patients. Iron was prescribed to 14% (oral, 12%; intravenous, 2%) of HM patients and to 42% (oral, 17%; intravenous, 25%) of ST patients. The rates of blood transfusions were high: 70% in HM and 46% in ST patients; transfusions alone or administrated with ESA were more frequent in patients with Hb <8 g/dL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although recent guidelines recommend evaluating iron deficiency and correcting anaemia by using intravenous iron, our study in cancer patients evidenced that ESA and blood transfusions are still frequently used as the treatment of anaemia in cancer patients. Iron deficiency is insufficiently assessed (only one patient among five) and as a consequence iron deficiency is most likely insufficiently treated.
authors: Medical Oncology Department, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France.
authors: Marc
authors: M
authors: Spielmann
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Luporsi
authors: Isabelle
authors: I
authors: Ray-Coquard
authors: Stéphane
authors: S
authors: de Botton
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Azria
authors: Sigismond
authors: S
authors: Lasocki
authors: Antoine
authors: A
authors: Lafuma
authors: Lamine
authors: L
authors: Mahi
authors: Gilbert
authors: G
authors: Deray
authors: Roland
authors: R
authors: Bugat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult