Erythropoietin may be administered in a patient with cancer to help correct anemia or as prophylaxis during chemotherapy. The response can be evaluated using hematologic criteria.
Correction of Anemia
Parameters:
(1) hematocrit value
(2) hematocrit increment
(3) transfusion needs
Hematocrit |
Transfusion Need |
Response |
normal |
none |
complete |
hematocrit >= 30%, AND hematocrit increment >= 6% |
none |
major |
NA |
transfusion needs reduced by >= 50% |
minor |
hematocrit < 30% AND hematocrit increment >= 6% |
NA |
minor |
hematocrit >= 30% AND hematocrit increment < 6% |
NA |
minor |
hematocrit < 30% AND hematocrit increment < 6% |
transfusion needs not reduced or reduced < 50% |
failure |
Prophylaxis during Chemotherapy
If a cancer patient is receiving erythropoietin during chemotherapy to prevent anemia:
(1) complete response: maintenance of normal hematocrit
(2) major response: decrease in hematocrit < 6%
(3) minor response: decrease in hematocrit >= 6% but without need for transfusion
(4) failure: decrease in hematocrit >= 6% and requiring transfusion
Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Clinical Laboratory