Abstract A001: A prospective study of anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation using serial hemoglobin measurement in North Central region, Nigeria
Authors: Aruah Simeom Chinedu 
Published: January 2025

Background: Multiple Studies have suggested that aside from its important role in quality of life (QOL) issues, anemia constitutes an independent prognostic factor of survival, response to treatment, loco-regional control and recurrence in patients with cancer concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy (i.e. Chemoradiation). This treatment modality is for selected cancer types and patients but may be complicated, especially in low and middle income countries where nutritional anemia is already prevalent. Aim: A prospective study of anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation using serial hemoglobin measurement. Materials and Method: The study consists of 38 patients with solid cancers who meet inclusion criteria. The baseline hemoglobin (Hb) level was taken and recorded on first day of consultation. Their Hb level was measured every 2 weeks during concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The blood film pictures at pre-treatment and ongoing treatment were examined and analyzed by a team of Ha Hematologists. The whole process was terminated after 3 consecutive Hb measurement or after week 6. Anemia was classified for this study as follows: Less than10g/dl– Severe Anemia 10–10.9g/dl–Moderate Anemia 11–11.9g/dl–Mild Anemia 12–12.9g/dl–No Anemia. Results: 38 out of 72 cancer patients recruited for this study met inclusion criteria. Age range was 25–75 years with median age of 50years. 27/38 (71/1%) of patients were female while 11/38 (28.9%) were male with ratio of 2:1. 61.2% had Pelvic and 38.8% had head and neck regions as cancer sites that received chemoradiation. More than 75% of patients presented with stage III diseases which was evident of advanced stage and a strong indication for chemoradiation. At week 6, 39.6% cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation had mean haemoglobin value of 10-10.9g/dl. At p value &gt;0.05 there was no statistical significance in distribution of mean Hb, standard deviation based on sex for cancer patients on chemoradiation. Conclusion: The prevalence of anaemia in 38 cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation was 73.6%. With adequate Hb monitoring during therapy, chemoradiation has no significant effect on Hb level. At 95% confidence interval, the impact of chemoradiation on Hb level during therapy i.e. week 6 was 10.98-11.3g/dl. Despite this result, anemia remains a big challenge to overall quality of life and survival in cancer patients especially in resource constrained environment like Nigeria where nutritional anemia is common and blood transfusion services may be in adequate in certain areas with attendant out of pocket health care cost of blood transfusion. Recommendation: This paves way for more questions and need for further research on our patient population on the relationship between anemia, hypoxia, use of hyperbaric oxygen, radiosensitizers, antihelminthics etc. as anemia remains independent prognostic factor in patients with cancer in our environment.

Citation Format: Simeom Chinedu Aruah. A prospective study of anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemoradiation using serial hemoglobin measurement in North Central region, Nigeria. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Translating Targeted Therapies in Combination with Radiotherapy; 2025 Jan 26-29; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2025;31(2_Suppl):Abstract nr A001.