Perioperative anemia and blood transfusions as prognostic factors in patients undergoing resection for non-small cell lung cancers

We hypothesised that anemia could represent an important prognostic factor and perioperative blood transfusions do not reduce the risk of relapse. In order to explore this topic, we assessed the correlation of preoperative anemia and blood transfusions with survival in patients with resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Patients who underwent radical surgery for NSCLC at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of Università Politecnica delle Marche from January 1996 through December 2001, were included in our study. Four hundred and thirty-nine patients were eligible for our analysis. Survival appeared worse in patients with haemoglobin (Hb) < or =10 g/dl versus Hb >10 g/dl (p=0.012). Stratifying patients in three groups on their Hb level (group 1: Hb < or =10 g/dl; group 2: Hb=10-12 g/dl; group 3: Hb > or =12 g/dl), we observed a worse prognosis in patients with lower Hb levels, too (p=0.0325) and also in the transfused population (p=0.046). At multivariate analysis, only the age of patients, pathological stage and Hb levels resulted indicators of prognosis. Our results suggested that anemia could represent an important prognostic factor in resected NSCLC and correction of anemia in the perioperative setting does not reduce the risk of relapse.     

An association between preoperative anemia and decreased survival in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with surgery alone

PURPOSE: Surgical resection is the mainstay of therapy for patients presenting with Stage I and II non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite optimal staging and surgery, these patients are still at significant risk for failure. The purpose of this study is to report a retrospective analysis of the outcome of patients treated with surgery alone, as well as to analyze prognostic factors associated with survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2000 to November 2002, there was a total of 125 patients who were treated with surgery for NSCLC at University of Maryland Medical Center. Of these, 82 Stage I and II patients who received surgery alone as the definitive therapy were identified. The median age of the entire cohort was 68 years (range, 43-88 years). There were 48 males and 34 females. Sixty-three patients (76.8%) underwent lobectomies whereas 19 patients (23.2%) underwent nonlobectomy (wedge resection or segmentectomy) procedures. Patients who received neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiation therapy or chemotherapy were excluded from the study. Factors included in univariate and multivariate analyses were age, sex, tumor histology, pathologic stage, p53 status, preoperative hemoglobin (Hgb), and type of surgery performed. Endpoints of the study were relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 20.8 months (range, 0.4-43.2 months). For the entire cohort, the 2-year RFS was 66.0% and 2-year OS was 76.3%. Median survival for the entire cohort has not been achieved. In univariate analysis, the only factor that achieved statistical significance was preoperative Hgb level. Patients who had preoperative Hgb <12 mg/dL experienced significantly worse RFS (mean RFS: 26.6 months vs. 34.9 months, p = 0.043) and OS (median OS: 27 months vs. 42.5 months, p = 0.011). For Stage I patients (n = 72), the 2-year RFS and OS were 66.4% and 77.1%, respectively. In the subgroup of stage IA patients (n = 37), there was a trend toward decreased overall survival in the anemic patients (2-year OS of 65.6% vs. 90.9%, p = 0.07). For Stage II patients (n = 10), the 2-year RFS and OS were 60.0% and 66.7%. In the Cox multivariate regression analysis, the only factor that achieved statistical significance was preoperative Hgb, with patients with Hgb <12 mg/dL having decreased RFS (RR 4.1, p = 0.020) and OS (RR 2.9, p = 0.026). There was a trend toward worse RFS (p = 0.056) and OS (p = 0.068) in p53-negative patients (n = 39). Stage, histologic type, type of surgery performed, age, and sex did not affect outcome. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of mostly Stage I NSCLC patients treated with surgery only, preoperative Hgb <12 mg/dL predicted for worse outcome. This effect was observed even in the traditionally low-risk subgroup of completely resected stage IA patients. Much has been written in the literature about anemia causing possible worsening of tumor hypoxia within solid tumors, thereby increasing radio-resistance. This has been a popular argument to explain poorer outcomes of anemic patients with solid tumors who undergo radiotherapy. However, our data suggest that anemia may be a sign of a more aggressive tumor that is at an increased risk of failure independent of the treatment modality.     

Do Preoperative Transfusions Impact Prognosis in Moderate to Severe Anaemic Surgical Patients with Colon Cancer?

(1) Background: Anaemia is a common finding in patients with colon cancer and is commonly corrected by blood transfusion prior to surgery. However, the prognostic role of perioperative transfusions is still debated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of preoperative anaemia and preoperative blood transfusion in influencing the prognosis in colon cancer. (2) Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing elective surgery for colon cancer at a tertiary referral university hospital between January 2010 and December 2018 were included in a retrospective review of a prospectively collected database. Univariate and regression analyses were performed to identify the prognostic role of preoperative anaemia and preoperative transfusions in this homogeneous cohort of patients. (3) Results: A total of 780 patients were included in the final analysis. The estimated five-year overall survival rate was significantly worse in the anaemic group (83.8% in non-anaemic patients, 60.6% in mild anaemic patients, 61.3% in moderate anaemic patients and 58.4% in severe anaemic patients; log-rank < 0.001 vs. non-anaemic patients). Anaemic status was found to be an independent adverse prognostic factor (hazard ratio (HR): 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02–2.07) during multivariate analysis. Among moderate to severe anaemic patients, no significant association was found between preoperative transfusions and the risk of mortality or recurrence. (4) Conclusions: Preoperative anaemia, regardless of its severity, and not preoperative blood transfusion, was independently associated with a worse prognosis after surgery in patients with colonic cancer.     

Perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion, the related cytokine response and long-term survival after potentially curative resection of colorectal cancer

AimsIt is still debated whether perioperative blood transfusion alters the incidence of disease recurrence or otherwise affects the prognosis after curative resection of malignant tumours. We conducted a prospective observational study of patients with colorectal cancer to provide data on the effect of blood transfusion and the related perioperative cytokine response on long-term prognosis.Materials and methodsPerioperative blood samples were obtained from 117 patients with colorectal cancer undergoing potentially curative resection. Factors associated with perioperative blood transfusion were assessed, and their relationship with early postoperative systemic responses of tumour growth factors and long-term prognosis were evaluated.ResultsIndependent factors associated with perioperative blood transfusion were preoperative anaemia, operative blood loss and the development of postoperative infectious complication. The patients receiving transfusions were subdivided according to the independent factors. Group A comprised 19 patients who received blood transfusions because of preoperative anaemia and Group B comprised 16 patients who received blood transfusions because of excessive operative blood loss. Group B patients showed exaggerated postoperative systemic induction of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-6-triggered tumour growth factors, such as hepatocyte growth factor and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1. Intraoperative blood transfusion under intense surgical stress was associated with poor prognosis, whereas preoperative blood transfusion for correcting anaemia or intraoperative blood transfusion under less invasive surgery was not associated with survival. Multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards method showed that a significant independent risk was demonstrated for blood transfusion, T stage, lymph-node metastasis and perioperative peak levels of IL-6.ConclusionBlood transfusion and intense surgical stress might synergistically affect the long-term prognosis after curative resection of colorectal cancer. Postoperative exaggerated systemic inductions of IL-6 may indicate the critical situation that could lead to disease recurrence.     

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma is associated with poor long-term survival after surgical resection. Effect of allogeneic blood transfusion

BACKGROUND: The significance of allogeneic blood transfusion in the prognosis of patients with nonsmall lung carcinoma (NSCLC) remains controversial. Reports have suggested that patients with adenocarcinoma have a worse prognosis from cancer than patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), but this evidence is lacking in NSCLC. The objective of the current study was to elucidate the correlation between perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion and the prognosis in patients with adenocarcinoma and SCC. METHODS: The study group comprised 329 consecutive patients (172 men and 157 women) with a mean age of 67 years who underwent lung resection between 1996 and 2003 in 1 unit. The clinicopathologic and survival data were compared between 62 patients (42.7%) with adenocarcinoma and 58 patients (48.3%) with SCC who received a perioperative blood transfusion and 83 patients (57.3 %) with adenocarcinoma and 126 patients (61.3%) with SCC who did not. RESULTS: The overall surgical mortality rate was 3.9% (13 deaths). The median surgical blood loss was 380 mL (range, 125-4500 mL). The mean blood transfusion received was 1.9 U (range, 0-8 U). The overall actuarial 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates in the adenocarcinoma and SCC groups were 82.3%, 49.6%, and 19.4% and 87.9%, 71.7%, and 32.7%, respectively (P = 0.021). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the factors that appeared to be independent prognostic factors in both groups were T-classification (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.001), and postoperative complications (P = 0.029). Perioperative blood transfusion was not an independent prognostic indicator in either group. CONCLUSIONS: The current study demonstrated that long-term survival in patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung was significantly worse compared with patients with SCC, but was independent of allogeneic perioperative blood transfusion. The results reaffirmed the importance of tumor invasion and lymph node involvement in the overall poor prognosis of these patients.     

280例非小细胞肺癌患者围手术期输血与否的预后关系

目的：研究非小细胞肺癌术后的预后因素及围手术期输血对术后无病生存的影响。方法：回顾性调查了280例手术切除的非小细胞肺癌患者，其中145例（51．8％）患者围手术期接受了输血治疗，采用单因素对数秩检验（log—ranktest）多因素Cox比例风险回归模型进行分析。结果：多因素分析表明，影响预后的主要因素有分化程度、术后分期、围手术期输血。围手术期输血是无病生存的独立预后因素。结论：围手术期输血是非小细胞肺癌独立的不利预后因素，应当尽量避免围手术期输血。     

Myelosuppression induced by concurrent chemoradiotherapy as a prognostic factor for patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

The aim of the present study was to assess whether myelosuppression during concurrent chemoradiotherapy is a prognostic factor for patients with locally advanced non?small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We retrospectively analyzed 86?patients with NSCLC who received concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy. Patients were classified into two groups (grades 0-2 and 3-4) according to the most severe neutropenia, anemia or thrombocytopenia observed during concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and survival time and progression-free survival (PFS) time were analyzed. Univariate analysis revealed that overall survival time was significantly longer in patients with grade 0-2 anemia than in those with grade 3-4 anemia (p=0.02). Survival time did not differ significantly on the basis of the severity of neutropenia or thrombocytopenia. Although pre-treatment white blood cell count was a further prognostic factor in univariate analysis, multivariate analysis revealed that the only independent prognostic factor for overall survival time was anemia. Disease stage was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (p=0.04), whereas neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia were not. In conclusion, the severity of anemia during concurrent chemoradiotherapy may be a useful prognostic factor in patients with locally advanced NSCLC.     

Prognostic factors in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: elevated serum levels of neuron specific enolase indicate poor prognosis

BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is resistant to chemotherapy and prognosis of advanced NSCLC patients is considered to be dependent on various prognostic factors. METHODS: We analyzed prognostic factors in patients with advanced NSCLC who had been enrolled in clinical trials conducted by the Okayama Lung Cancer Study Group between 1978 and 1992 using two kinds of multivariate analysis, Cox's multivariate analysis and recursive partitioning and amalgamation (RPA) analysis. RESULTS: The first analysis was performed on 261 patients using 28 variables. Performance status (PS), clinical stage, liver metastasis or serum albumin level was an independent prognostic factor by Cox's analysis. In the second analysis performed on 128 patients having data on neuron specific enolase (NSE), NSE was the most important prognostic factor. Using the RPA method, three subgroups with significantly different survival potentials were defined. Among them, patients with normal serum NSE levels and good PS were found to obtain a markedly favorable prognosis [median survival time (MST) 22.1 months, 3-year survival rate 42.9%], whereas the survival of patients with elevated serum NSE levels and bone metastasis was extremely short (MST 4.7 months, 3-year survival rate 0%). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that analysis of prognostic factors including serum levels of NSE is useful for predicting the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC.     

Effects of Allogeneic Blood Transfusion in Patients with Stage II Colon Cancer

The aim of the present study was to determine whether allogeneic red blood cell transfusions showed adeleterious effect and what might be preoperative risk factors for blood transfusion in patients with TNM stageII colon cancer. Total 470 patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria were selected for a further 10-year followupstudy. We found that there were statistical significance between non-transfused and transfused group inmortality (P=0.018), local recurrence (P=0.000) and distant metastasis (P=0.040). Local recurrence and distantmetastasis between 1 to 3 units and more than 3 units group did not show any significant differences. There wasno difference in survival rate between non-transfused and 1 to 3 units group (log rank =0.031, P=0.860). Thedifference between different blood transfusion volume in transfused patients was found (78.77% vs 63.83%,P=0.006). Meanwhile, the significant difference of survival rate was existed between non-transfused group andmore than 3 units group (84.83% vs 63.83%, P=0.002 ). Univariate analysis showed the following 3 variablesto be associated with an increased risk of allogeneic blood transfusions: preoperative CEA level (P<0.05),location of tumor (P<0.01) and diameter of tumor (P<0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that location of tumorand diameter of tumor are two independent factors for requirement of perioperative transfusions. Therefore,allogeneic transfusion increase the postoperative tumor mortality, local recurrence and distant metastasis inpatients with stage II colon cancer. The postoperative tumor mortality, local recurrence and distant metastasiswere not associated with the blood transfusion volume. The blood transfusion volume was associated with thesurvival rate. Location of tumor and diameter of tumor were the independent preoperative risk factors for bloodtransfusion.     

Red blood cell transfusions and iron overload in the treatment of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

BACKGROUND: Approximately 15,000 new cases of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are expected in the United States each year. METHODS: The mainstay for the management of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) is supportive therapy with red blood cell (RBC) transfusions to improve the patient's quality of life. RBC transfusions enable adequate tissue oxygenation and increase hemoglobin levels, improve fatigue, and improve the physical and intellectual activity of patients. Up to 90% of patients with MDS will receive RBC transfusions during the course of their disease, and many will become chronically dependent on transfusions to manage their anemia. These transfusions lead to an accumulation of excess iron that, in turn, can develop into a condition known as iron overload, causing clinical consequences like hypertransaminasemia and cirrhosis, dilated cardiomyopathy, and progressive dysfunction of the endocrine glands. RESULTS: Studies in patients with MDS have indicated that iron overload because of RBC transfusions was an independent, adverse prognostic factor for overall survival (OS) and leukemia-free survival (LFS): OS and LFS were significantly shorter in transfusion-dependent patients with MDS than in those who were not transfusion dependent. CONCLUSIONS: Although the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for the treatment of patients with MDS recommend the use of RBC transfusions as supportive care, they further recommend that the iron burden of transfused patients be monitored regularly and that iron chelation therapy be considered to maintain serum ferritin levels of <1000 ng/mL.     

Tumour CEA as predictor of better outcome in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

High levels of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (S-CEA) are considered a negative prognostic factor in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), while the prognostic value of tumour CEA (T-CEA) is unknown. We investigated the prognostic role of T-CEA in radically resected early stage NSCLC. We measured preoperative S-CEA levels and T-CEA in 146 patients with stage 1-2 NSCLC, and analysed their influence on survival. In patients positive for T-CEA, 3-year survival was 80%, compared to 65% in T-CEA-negative patients (p=0.03). After stratification by histology, T-CEA positivity was prognostic of better survival in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (p=0.024) but not in adenocarcinomas (ADK) (p=0.87). Multiple Cox regression analysis showed that T-CEA positivity was an independent predictor of better survival in patients with early stage NSCLC (p=0.02). In SCC patients, the magnitude of the hazard ratio was confirmed even if the precision of the estimate is decreased (p=0.06). In conclusion, T-CEA expression appears to be an important prognostic factor in early stage SSC of the lung.     

Long-term survival of surgically staged IIIA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer treated with surgical combined modality approach: analysis of a 7-year prospective experience.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyse the outcome of surgically staged IIIA-N2 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with induction chemotherapy followed by surgical exploration. METHODS: Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out on a prospective cohort of 131 mediastinoscopy-proven IIIA-N2 NSCLC patients. Three preoperative cycles of vindesine-ifosfamide-cisplatin (VIP) were given. Patients with at least stable disease (SD) were considered for surgery, or radical radiotherapy in selected cases. RESULTS: The response rate after VIP was 54% (95% confidence interval 45% to 63%) and was important for the final outcome. The median and 5-year survival for the total group were 24 months and 21% (38 months and 30% in responders), respectively. Involvement of subcarinal nodes at diagnosis was the most important prognostic factor (P=0.022). Seventy-five patients were considered for surgery. Downstaging occurred in 34 of 70 resection specimens, with a pathological complete response in six. Median and 5-year survival in the surgical cohort were 45 months and 35%, respectively. Surgery was rewarding both in patients with a response and in those with SD, although the complete resection rate was significantly lower in the latter. On multivariate analysis, favourable prognostic factors were low pathological T-stage (P=0.001) and downstaging of mediastinal nodes in the resection specimen (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: VIP induction chemotherapy followed by surgical exploration was rewarding in mediastinoscopy-proven stage IIIA-N2 NSCLC, both in cases of response and SD, despite a lower complete resection rate in the latter. Patients with subcarinal nodes at diagnosis (5-year survival 8.5%) or without nodal downstaging at post-induction surgery (13.7%) might preferably be treated with a non-surgical approach.     

Blood transfusions in breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy: possible importance of timing

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The influence of blood transfusions on survival of breast cancer is still not convincingly determined. To assess prognostic significance of blood transfusions, a group of 863 breast cancer patients (mean follow-up 68.3 months) treated with mastectomy during 1977-1995 in Oncologic Hospital, Bielsko-Biala, Poland, was analyzed. METHODS: Retrospective analyses were performed using log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, administering blood transfusions to breast cancer patients after mastectomy significantly shortened their overall, local recurrence-free and metastases-free survival (95% confidence intervals for differences in 5 year survival ranged from 6.5-27%). Multivariate analyses showed that only time of transfusion with reference to the time of mastectomy was an independent prognostic factor for metastases-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Allogenic blood transfusions in the first 8 days after mastectomy may shorten metastases-free survival of breast cancer patients.     

A randomized trial of anemia correction with two different hemoglobin targets in the first-line chemotherapy of advanced gastric cancer

Purpose To evaluate if raising baseline and maintaining hemoglobin (Hb) levels with red blood cell (RBC) transfusion could improve the outcomes of chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Methods Patients were randomized to receive RBC transfusion to maintain their Hb levels ≥10 g/dl (arm 1) or ≥12 (arm 2) before the start of their 5-fluorouracil-based first-line chemotherapy. Objective response, KPS and quality of life (QOL) data were measured. Results For 87 patients enrolled, mean baseline Hb was 10.1 g/dl, and 54 patients received RBC prior to chemotherapy initiation. Despite transfusion, we failed to maintain the Hb level above the predefined target range. Eighteen patients experienced brief and reversible adverse events during transfusion, including two patients with acute pulmonary edema. KPS was improved from baseline to post-chemotherapy in both arms. QOL data showed improvement in some symptom scores, but there was no difference in the QOL scores between the two arms at baseline and all four cycles of treatment. Similar response rates were observed in both arms (arm 1, 30%; arm 2, 35%). Both arms showed similar chemotherapy duration (3.8 and 4.1 months, respectively), progression-free survival (4.0 and 4.1 months) and overall survival (9.9 and 9.3 months). Conclusions Red blood cell transfusion achieving Hb level above 10 g/dl might contribute to the improvement of the KPS and QOL seen in patients with AGC. The observation of equivalent outcomes at the two target Hb levels supports the feasibility of anemia correction to Hb 10 g/dl, which merits further evaluation.     

Interaction of splenectomy and perioperative blood transfusions on prognosis of patients with proximal gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the interaction of splenectomy and perioperative allogeneic blood transfusions on the prognosis of patients undergoing a potentially curative resection of proximal gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer, because reports from the transplantation literature demonstrated that the immunosuppressive effects of transfusions are dependent on the presence of an intact spleen. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1, 1985, and July 30, 2001, 240 patients underwent complete resection (R0) of a proximal gastric or GEJ cancer (Siewert type II or III). Clinical and pathologic factors were collected in a prospective database. The survival data were modeled using the method of Kaplan and Meier and analyzed by the log-rank test and Cox regression. RESULTS: The median follow-up of the patients was 25 months (40 months for survivors). The median relapse-free survival was 30 months, and the median disease-specific survival was 45 months. Univariate analysis suggested an interaction of splenectomy and perioperative transfusion in their effect on relapse-free survival. Patients who received a perioperative transfusion but did not undergo splenectomy demonstrated the worst prognosis on multivariate analysis independent of other prognostic factors. In patients who underwent splenectomy, perioperative transfusion had no effect on relapse-free survival on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests an interaction of blood transfusion and splenectomy in their effect on survival paralleling the findings in the transplantation literature. The adverse effect of allogeneic blood transfusion on prognosis in patients with gastric cancer seems to be associated with the presence of an intact spleen and is abrogated by its absence.     

Clinical relevance of hemoglobin level in cervical cancer patients administered definitive radiotherapy

The prognostic impact of pretreatment hemoglobin (Hb) level and its changes during definitive radiotherapy was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis in the group of 453 FIGO IB-IIIB cervical cancer patients. Pretreatment anemia (Hb < 12 g/dl) was present in 148 patients (33%), and anemia at the end of irradiation in 48%; in 64% Hb level declined during therapy. Median overall survival in patients with initial Hb >or=12 g/dl was 66 months compared to 22 months in those with lower baseline Hb levels (p = 0.0001). This difference was mainly due to increased risk of distant spread in anemic patients (40% compared to 25% in subjects with pretreatment Hb >or=12 g/dl; p = 0.001). Baseline Hb >or=12 g/dl was also associated with longer disease-free survival and improved local control. Declining Hb level during radiotherapy predicted for impaired 5-year disease-free survival and local control probability. In multivariate analysis, low pretreatment Hb level remained associated with worse overall and disease-free survival, whereas adverse impact of declining Hb level on outcome was not observed. With regard to other clinical factors, stage and tumor extension (uni- or bilateral parametrium involvement for Stage III) were the only independent determinants of prognosis.     

A risk model for severe anemia to select cancer patients for primary prophylaxis with epoetin α: a prospective randomized controlled trial of the ELYPSE study group

Background: Epoetin (EPO) administration reduces the need for transfusion. Identifying patients at high risk of anemia requiring red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is needed. This multicentric phase III trial tested epoetin α (EPOα) administration according to our risk model on the basis of three clinical parameters: hemoglobin (Hb) <12 g/dl, lymphocytes ≤700/μl, and/or performance status (PS) >1.Patients and methods: Patients ≥18 years with chemotherapy-treated solid or hematologic tumors were randomized to 150 UI/kg/TIW s.c. EPOα (arm 1) or no EPOα (arm 2) and stratified on Hb level at day 0, lymphocyte count, and PS. The primary end point was transfusion rate; secondary end points included overall survival (OS), safety, and quality of life.Results: From September 2000 to January 2005, 218 patients (median age 64 years, 42.7% males) with principally breast cancer, sarcoma, or lung carcinoma were included. In total, 93% patients had PS >1 and 35% had ≤700/μl lymphocytes. Baseline Hb levels were 10.1 g/dl (range 6.9–11.9). Two hundred and thirteen patients were assessable for the primary end point: 36% received RBC in arm 1 and 58% in arm 2 (P = 0.0012). Median OS was 7.6 [95% confidence interval (CI): 5–12] and 6 (95% CI: 5–8) months in arms 1 and 2, respectively. Median OS was significantly worse for patients with three prognostic factors (3.6 months) compared with two factors (8.3 months) (P < 0.001). No difference in toxicity (47% versus 41%) or thrombovascular events (4.5% versus 3.7%) was observed.Conclusion: Patients at high risk for RBC transfusion according to the ELYPSE model could be given prophylactic EPO with significantly reduced RBC transfusions and no significant impact on side-effects, progression-free survival, and OS.     

Early recurrence in peritoneal metastasis of appendiceal neoplasm: Survival and prognostic factors

IntroductionEarly recurrence (ER) is defined as development of loco-regional peritoneal disease within 12-month of the initial CRS/PIC. Our aims were to identify overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS) and independent prognostic factors associated with ER in PM of appendiceal neoplasm.Materials and methodsA prospectively-maintained database for patients with appendiceal neoplasm undergoing cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and perioperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (PIC) from year 1996–2018 was retrospectively analysed.Results208 female and 185 male patients were identified. With a median follow-up of 40-month, 40.2% of the patients developed ER. The median OS for ER was 24 months compared to late (LR) at 64 months. Median OS was not reached in non-recurrence (NR). 5-year survival for ER was less favourable compared to LR and NR (19.3%vs54.6%vs94%). No patients in ER group survived beyond 10-year. Independent negative predictors associated with ER on multivariate analysis were male patient (p = 0.013), blood transfusion of >8 units (p = 0.013), elevated preoperative CEA levels (>5 ng/ml; p = 0.002) and hard intraoperative tumour consistency (p < 0.001). Protective factor was a combination of CC1, hard tumour consistency and use of EPIC (p = 0.039). Independent prognostic factors that predicted recurrence of appendiceal PM were PCI >20 (p = 0.049), non-use of EPIC (p = 0.012), hard tumour consistency (p = 0.004) and use of previous chemotherapy (p = 0.023).ConclusionER following CRS and PIC of appendiceal PM is associated with reduced survival outcomes. Our data alludes to the importance of optimising the risk factors in order to delay loco-regional recurrence and improve long-term survival of these patients.     

结直肠癌术前不同贫血类型与肿瘤特征、全身炎症和生存的关系

目的:探究术前不同贫血类型的结直肠癌患者与肿瘤的特征性参数和全身炎症反应之间的关系,以及术前不同贫血类型的结直肠癌患者的预后情况。方法:回顾性分析航天中心医院普外科2013年01月至2015年12月收治的118例结直肠癌手术患者的临床资料。根据患者的血红蛋白浓度（Hb）、平均红细胞体积（MCV）、平均血红蛋白含量（MCH）、平均血红蛋白浓度（MCHC）情况将患者分为无贫血组、正常细胞贫血组、小细胞性贫血组。比较分析三组患者的一般资料、肿瘤学特征资料和mGPS评分等。术后随访5年,观察生存情况,应用Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线,采用Log-rank检验进行生存分析。应用Cox比例风险回归模型对结直肠癌患者进行影响预后的单因素和多因素分析。结果:本研究中结直肠癌患者术前贫血率为45.8%（54/118）。术前不同贫血类型患者中,在性别、体重减轻程度、CA724、肿瘤部位、肿瘤大小、TNM分期、mGPS评分、Ki-67阳性表达率等方面,差异均具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。无贫血组5年生存率为59.4%,平均生存时间为49个月;小细胞性贫血组5年生存率为29.4%,平均生存时间为34个月;正常细胞性贫血组5年生存率为35.1%,平均生存时间为41个月。无贫血组与小细胞性贫血组和正常细胞性贫血组生存时间比较,差异均具有统计学意义（χ2=5.462,P=0.019; χ2=4.187,P=0.041）。单因素分析结果显示:肿瘤标记物CA199、肿瘤大小、TNM分期、有无远处转移、有无淋巴结转移、mGPS评分、Ki-67阳性表达率、贫血类型等方面是影响结直肠癌患者预后的相关因素（P＜0.05）。多因素分析结果显示:肿瘤大小、TNM分期、有无远处转移、mGPS评分、Ki-67阳性表达率、贫血类型等方面是影响结直肠癌患者预后的独立危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论:术前不同类型贫血的结直肠癌患者的肿瘤学特征不同,并且全身性炎症可能与术前贫血的状态有关。术前贫血与全身炎症状态是结直肠癌患者预后的独立危险因素。因此,在病人术前准备阶段,应尽可能恢复和改善贫血和全身炎症状态,以获得更好的结直肠癌预后,延长患者的生存时间。     

Ⅲa-N2非小细胞肺癌纵隔淋巴结转移综合模式的预后价值

  目的  研究跳跃转移与肺叶特异性转移对Ⅲa-N2非小细胞肺癌（non small cell lung cancer,NSCLC）的预后意义。  方法  天津医科大学肿瘤医院2008年1月至2009年12月行完全切除和系统淋巴结清扫的218例pN2期NSCLC被纳入本研究。根据有无N1区淋巴结转移将分为连续转移与跳跃性转移;根据纵隔淋巴结转移范围是否超出肺叶特异性区域分为纵隔广泛转移与肺叶特异性转移。对各组的总生存（overall survival,OS）和无病生存（disease free survival,DFS）进行了比较。  结果  全组患者的5年OS为21.6%,5年DFS为16.8%。跳跃性转移及连续转移病例的5年OS分别为37.6%和22.0%（P =0.008）;DFS分别为29.1%和15.0%（P =0.022）。肺叶特异性转移和广泛转移的5年OS分别为38.3%和20.4%（P =0.005）;DFS分别为28.4%和15.1%（P =0.009）。根据两者的组合将所有患者进一步分为3组:仅有跳跃性转移和肺叶特异性转移（A组）,发生连续转移或者纵隔广泛转移中的一项（B组）;既有连续转移又有纵隔广泛转移（C组）。3组的5年OS分别为47.1%,28.1%和16.6%（P =0.001）;5年DFS分别为35.2%,20.8%和11.2%（P =0.002）。多因素分析表明,这种综合转移模式是OS和DFS的独立预后因素。  结论  淋巴结转移的综合模式是Ⅲa-N2的一种独立的预后因素,在评价患者预后及筛选术后治疗患者时应该将这种综合模式考虑在内。