Full Description
Anemia is a frequent complication of cancer and its treatment. A number of clinical studies shows that the impact of anemia is much greater than previously thought. Beyond clinical symptoms, anemia significantly impairs physical and metabolic functions as well as patients' activity, well-being and quality of life. Life expectancy is also affected. In this book, written by a group of outstanding international experts, the current knowledge on anemia in cancer and its treatment with rhEPO is presented and future developments are discussed. Based on a broad spectrum of topics, the book describes the scientific and clinical aspects of anemia in various fields of oncology and gives diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations on when and how to use rhEPO. The book will serve as an authentic and essential source of information for radiotherapists, oncologists, hematologists, internists, pediatricians, surgeons, specialists in transfusion or laboratory medicine and pharmacologists.
Contents
Biology of EPO * Definition and classification of anemia * Pathogenesis of cancer-related or chemotherapy-induced anemia * Prevalence and prognostic role of anemia in cancer chemotherapy * Incidence and impact of anemia in radiation oncology * Relatioship between anemia and tumor hypoxia * Tumor hypoxia and therapeutic resistance * Impact of anemia on organ functions * Relationship between anemia, fatigue, and quality of life in cancer patients * Red blood cell transfusions, risks and limitations * Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and safty of rhEPO * rhEPO in anemia associated with multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma * rhEPO in myelodysplastic syndromes and chronic myeloproliferative diseases * rhEPO in anemia associated with solid tumors and chemotherapy * Predictive factors for response of anemia to rhEPO * rhEPO in hematopoietic stem cell mobilization, transplatation, and in-vitro expansion * Clinical trails using rhEPO in radiation oncology * rhEPO in pediatric oncology * rhEPO in surgical oncology.
