title: Current trends in the management of anaemia in solid tumours and haematological malignancies.
abstract: Anaemia is a common problem in patients with solid tumors and haematological malignancies. Certain cancer therapies also contribute to anaemia. This article reviews the pathophysiology of cancer-related anaemia, investigation of a cancer patient with anaemia as well as how anaemia impacts patients in terms of quality of life, disease-related outcomes and treatment choices.
  
  
  
  Different treatments for anaemia include transfusions, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) and iron therapy. Within this context, we review the advantages and disadvantages concerning anaemia management in cancer patients as well as the risk-benefit ratio of different treatment choices, particularly the increased risk of thromboembolic events of ESAs and concern around mortality and effect on tumor growth.
  
  
  
  This review is aimed at guiding treating physicians to make the best evidence-based treatment choices according to the product label and according to current guidelines for patients with cancer-related anaemia.
authors.affiliation: The Medical Oncology Centre, Rosebank, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Ronwyn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Eeden
authors.forename: Bernardo L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Rapoport
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins