Chemotherapy-associated anemia in patients with lung cancer: an epidemiological, retrospective and multicenter study

Aim: The aim of the Anaemia in Lung Cancer in Spain study was to provide epidemiological data and treatment of anemia in 349 lung cancer patients undergoing first-line chemotherapy. Methods: The prevalence of anemia (hemoglobin level <12 g/dl) was 18.3% and the incidence 80.7%. Mean hemoglobin levels were 13.4 g/dl (95% CI: 13.2-13.6) and 11.5 g/dl (95% CI: 11.3-11.7) at the starting and at the end of chemotherapy, respectively. Of the 294 patients with anemia, 174 (59.2%) were treated. Results: Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents were given to 90.2% patients, alone in 31.6% and combined iron in 39.7%, transfusion in 9.2% and iron and transfusion in 9.8%. Conclusion: These results suggest an appropriate and rational use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents in the treatment of chemotherapy-associated anemia in lung cancer patients.