Management of lung cancer-associated anaemia: the Spanish Lung Cancer Anaemia Survey (SLCAS).
Gascón P., Almenárez J., Artal Á., Camps C., Fírvida JL., Garrido P., González Larriba JL., Montalar J.
BackgroundThe purpose of the Spanish Lung Cancer Anaemia Survey (SLCAS) was to thoroughly investigate lung cancer-associated anaemia management, and describe the profile of lung cancer patients in relation to anaemia incidence and tumour type in Spain.Patients and methodsThis survey collected data from 1089 randomly recruited patients gathered by 50 Spanish physicians at 38 sites. In addition, a qualitative assay was performed through 16 one-to-one and 2 one-to-two interviews, and a discussion group of 4 cancer specialists participating in the survey.ResultsLung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment had haemoglobin (Hb) levels <12.0 g/dl in 58.0% of the cases, in contrast to 39.0% of patients receiving no chemotherapy. Anaemia was treated in 53.0% of patients with Hb<12 g/dl (45.0% epoetin, 3.9% transfusion, 4.1% iron). Mean Hb level trigger was 9.7 g/dl for administration of epoetin and 8.2 g/dl for blood transfusion.ConclusionsSLCAS reveals a significant change in the management of anaemia and clinical practice pattern in the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (45.0% vs. 18.0%) and much less use of blood transfusions (3.9% vs. 15.0%) since the European Cancer Anaemia Survey performed five years ago.