BLOOD-TRANSFUSIONS IN LARYNGEAL-CANCER - EFFECT ON PROGNOSIS

Methods. To evaluate the influence of homologous perioperative transfu sion on oncologic control and survival in patients with larynx and hyp opharynx carcinomas, we conducted a retrospective study of 269 patient s with larynx and hypopharynx carcinoma treated by major surgical proc edures. A total of 20 variables were analyzed for each patient. Result s. Perioperative transfusion was required in 86 (32%) patients, with p acked red blood cells being used in all cases. Recurrence at a local, regional, or distant level was 31% for nontransfused and 35% for trans fused patients. The 5-year adjusted survival was 68% for patients with out transfusion and 63% for patients with transfusion. Neither the uni variate nor the multivariate analysis showed that perioperative transf usion or the number of units of packed red blood cells used had any pr ognostic capacity. Conclusions. Homologous perioperative transfusion d id not imply a significant risk regarding global control or survival i n our larynx or hypopharynx cancer patients.