Contributions
Abstract: PB1848
Type: Publication Only
Background
Microcytic anemia is traditionally associated with GI cancers and led to endoscopic investigations to evaluate for GI cancers.
Aims
We evaluated the haematological profile of a large series (855) of consecutive GI cancer patients at diagnosis in a university hospital.
Methods
This retrospective study analysed the full blood count of 265 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients over one calendar year and 590 patients with esophago-gastric cancers (OGC) over 3 calendar years. WHO guidelines were used to define anemia (Hb < 130 g/L in males and < 120 g/L in females). Further analysis was done based n severity of anemia (mild>110 g/L, moderate 80-110 g/L and severe<80 g/L), sex, age and tumour location.
Results
Among the 265 CRC patients, 116 (44%) were anemic, of which 72 (27%) were normocytic, 43(16%) were microcytic and 1 was macrocytic. 67/152 (44%)male patients were anemic, of which 42 were normocytic and 24 microcytic. 49/113 (43%) female patients were anemic, of which 30 normocytic and 17 microcytic. Patients above age of 60 had more normocytic anemia (31%) than microcytic anemia(12%), while among those below 60 had more microcytic anemia ( 30%) than normocytic anemia. Leucocytosis and thrombocytosis were seen only in 14% and 12% of CRC patients.
Conclusion
There is a higher prevalence of normocytic anemia than microcytic anemia in Gastro-intestinal cancers almost at a ratio of 2:1. Normocytic anemia is more common in elderly patients and those with mild to moderate anemia. The causes may be multifactorial including anemia of chronic disease secondary to malignancy. This highlights the fact that GI cancers must be considered as a cause in normocytic anemia irrespective of iron deficiency and symptoms of GI cancer should be carefully explored and investigations triggered.
Session topic: 27. Enzymopathies, membranopathies and other anemias
Keyword(s): Anemia
Abstract: PB1848
Type: Publication Only
Background
Microcytic anemia is traditionally associated with GI cancers and led to endoscopic investigations to evaluate for GI cancers.
Aims
We evaluated the haematological profile of a large series (855) of consecutive GI cancer patients at diagnosis in a university hospital.
Methods
This retrospective study analysed the full blood count of 265 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients over one calendar year and 590 patients with esophago-gastric cancers (OGC) over 3 calendar years. WHO guidelines were used to define anemia (Hb < 130 g/L in males and < 120 g/L in females). Further analysis was done based n severity of anemia (mild>110 g/L, moderate 80-110 g/L and severe<80 g/L), sex, age and tumour location.
Results
Among the 265 CRC patients, 116 (44%) were anemic, of which 72 (27%) were normocytic, 43(16%) were microcytic and 1 was macrocytic. 67/152 (44%)male patients were anemic, of which 42 were normocytic and 24 microcytic. 49/113 (43%) female patients were anemic, of which 30 normocytic and 17 microcytic. Patients above age of 60 had more normocytic anemia (31%) than microcytic anemia(12%), while among those below 60 had more microcytic anemia ( 30%) than normocytic anemia. Leucocytosis and thrombocytosis were seen only in 14% and 12% of CRC patients.
Conclusion
There is a higher prevalence of normocytic anemia than microcytic anemia in Gastro-intestinal cancers almost at a ratio of 2:1. Normocytic anemia is more common in elderly patients and those with mild to moderate anemia. The causes may be multifactorial including anemia of chronic disease secondary to malignancy. This highlights the fact that GI cancers must be considered as a cause in normocytic anemia irrespective of iron deficiency and symptoms of GI cancer should be carefully explored and investigations triggered.
Session topic: 27. Enzymopathies, membranopathies and other anemias
Keyword(s): Anemia