Call us anytime. (866) 629-1551 Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program Cancer and its treatments often put a strain on a patient’s blood supply. Cancer may cause internal bleeding or blood-related illnesses, such as anemia. Surgery requires cutting through skin, organs and other tissue that results in blood loss. In fact, more than 50 percent of Americans are concerned about the safety of blood, and one in every 34 patients suffers a delayed allergic reaction to blood transfusion, which, in turn, slows recovery. At Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), we understand that getting transfused blood or blood products to address these issues may not be an option for all patients. We respect the rights of religious groups, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, whose beliefs prohibit transfusions. We also understand the concerns of those who choose to avoid the risks of a transfusion or who have certain medical concerns, like allergies or a history of anaphylaxis. That’s why we offer bloodless medicine options and blood management strategies for patients who choose to avoid transfusions of blood and other blood products during their cancer treatment. Our services Our Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program is designed to help patients preserve and fortify their own blood supply to help reduce the necessity of a transfusion or the need for other blood-based products. We do that in a variety of ways, by: Reducing blood loss We use advanced tools to reduce the among of blood lost during surgery, techniques to reclaim lost blood and pre- and post-operative planning to reduce the amount of blood needed for testing. Increasing tissue oxygenation Our blood management techniques help to increase the amount of oxygen the blood carries to tissue and organs and helps the body use oxygen more efficiently. Managing anemia Anemia is a common side effect of cancer. Nutritional support and supplements, such as iron and vitamin K, may help to treat anemia and improve a patients’ overall blood health. Bloodless medicine service lines include: Urologic oncology for prostate, bladder, and kidney cancers Breast cancer and reconstruction Anesthesiology, cell salvage and hemodilution Cardiothoracic surgery Gynecological surgery Chemotherapy Radiation therapy Supportive care services Gastroenterology Blood management strategies Our Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program uses advanced tools, techniques and strategic planning protocols before, during and after your cancer treatment to help reduce or eliminate the needs for a transfusion of blood or blood components, such as platelets or plasma. These efforts include: Before and after surgery Supporting and improving blood health through medication, supplements, and nutrition Managing and reducing the amount of blood drawn for pre- and post-operative testing Identifying and addressing the source and causes of blood loss During surgery Using advanced surgical equipment and techniques to reduce bleeding Collecting and recycling blood lost during surgery Administering drugs and anesthesia to help slow bleeding during surgery Medication options Drugs used to promote blood help and limit blood loss include: Epoetin alfa (Procrit®), darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp®): Drugs that stimulate the body to produce more red blood cells Clotting factors: Injection, infusions and topical drugs to help stop blood loss and promote clotting Immune globulins: Antibodies used by the immune system used to identify and neutralize diseases and viruses Pegfilgrastim (Neulasta®), filgrastim (Neupogen®): Drugs designed to increase white blood cells production, which helps the body fight infection Albumin: A protein made in the liver that promotes good blood flow and health Medical equipment and procedures Equipment and procedures that may be used in the Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program include: Dialysis: The process of circulating blood through a filtering machine to be cleansed before it is infused back into the patient Cell salvage or cell saver machines: Devices that recovers blood lost during surgery, filters out red blood cells that are infused back into the patient Hemodilution: The process of removing the blood from a patient, replacing it with non-blood substances, such as saline, then infusing the blood back into the patient during or after surgery Benefits of bloodless medicine techniques While transfusions have been beneficial for millions of patients, they are not without risk. Avoiding a blood transfusion may help: Improve outcomes: Research indicates that bloodless medicine patients have fewer post-operative strokes or heart attacks and, overall, have more positive outcomes from their treatment. Reduce infections or reactions: Some patients may develop a fever after a transfusion. Others may have allergic reactions to the donated blood. And, in rare cases, transfused blood may contain viruses or bacteria or cause blood-borne illnesses. Save time and money: Transfusions may increase the cost of cancer care and require longer hospital stays. And, in some cases, patients with rare blood types may have to wait for suitable donors or for their type of blood to be found. At CTCA®, we encourage our new and existing patients to talk to their doctor or other members of their care team about the options and strategies to avoid or reduce the need for transfusions of blood or other blood-based products. Dedicated resources here for you Whether you have questions about treatment, want to know more about CTCA or would like to review more resources, contact your local Bloodless Medicine and Surgery team at one of the numbers below. Conveniently located in Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix CTCA Atlanta Comprehensive Care Center and Research Center 600 Celebrate Life Parkway Newnan, Georgia 866-491-0605 CTCA Chicago Comprehensive Care Center and Research Center 2520 Elisha Avenue Zion, Illinois 847-737-9540 CTCA Phoenix Comprehensive Care and Research Center 14200 W. Celebrate Life Way Goodyear, Arizona 855-993-5217 Donate to Gateway for Cancer Research Make a difference in the fight against cancer by donating to cancer research DONATE NOW Gateway for Cancer Research is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax-ID: 73-1386920 Call us now (866) 629-1551 Chat Now Hospitals Atlanta Chicago Phoenix Follow us on: © 2021 IPB Terms & Conditions Website Privacy Policy Sitemap