ANEMIA IN PATIENTS WITH COLORECTAL-CANCER

Although anemia is one of the signs of colorectal cancer, the relation ships between histological findings and hematological findings other t han hemoglobin level have not been adequately investigated. We investi gated the relationship between hematological findings, serum iron, and histological findings in 358 patients (207 men and 157 women) with co lorectal cancer. Their mean (+/-SD) ages were 64.3 +/- 12.4 and 63.8 /- 13.3 years. A hemoglobin level of less than 10 g/dl was the criteri on for anemia, and 20.8% of the men and 25.8% of the women met this cr iterion. Univariate analysis showed that carcinoma of the cecum, ascen ding colon, and transverse colon; large-size carcinoma, invasion beyon d the proper muscle layer, positive lymph node metastasis; and clinica l stage (Dukes' B, C, and D) were factors associated with high inciden ce of anemia. Histological type did not affect the hematological findi ngs. Multivariate analysis showed that age, tumor site, and tumor size were significant factors related to anemia. Depth of invasion, the pr esence or absence of lymph node metastasis, and Dukes' classification were not significant factors. In the presence of these factors, mean c orpuscular volume and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration values were low, and red blood cells were microcytic and hypochromic. The in cidence of a low serum iron level was about twice the frequency of a h emoglobin level of less than 10 g/dl. The results of the multivariate analysis showed that none of the factors were significantly related to iron deficiency.