Defining clinical guidelines for the treatment of cancer-related anemi
a requires investigation into causes and characteristics of this malad
y, uses, benefits, and adverse effects of current treatments; and reco
gnition of currently accepted guidelines set forth by the American Col
lege of Physicians and the American Association of Blood Banks. Anemia
, the most common hematologic abnormality in patients with cancer, ori
ginates from a variety of causes, including occult blood loss, hypopro
liferation, and hemolysis, and often involves more than one mechanism.
Clinical manifestations include fatigue, dyspnea, tachycardia, dizzin
ess, anorexia, and hypersensitivity to cold. Although the majority of
cancer-related anemias are hypoproliferative, establishing their patho
physiology in individual patients is critical to effective treatment.
Anemia usually, but not always, resolves with successful treatment of
underlying disease. Symptomatic relief can be managed in accordance wi
th established treatment guidelines.