Prognostic impact of haemoglobin levels in breast cancer.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many patients with solid tumours suffer from anaemia, as a consequence of the disease itself or its treatment. Anaemia affects the quality of life and can have a negative impact on overall survival. The aim of the current study was to analyse the impact of haemoglobin levels on the prognosis of patients with primary breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective data from 249 women treated for operable breast tumours were included in our study. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels independently of anticancer therapy were compared for the prognostic influence on disease-free and overall survival. RESULTS: A significant correlation between higher minimum Hb level during chemotherapy and the disease-free and overall survival was found. Pre-treatment haemoglobin levels had no prognostic influence on the disease-free and overall survival. CONCLUSION: The present data showed that anaemia during adjuvant chemotherapy to be a negative prognostic indicator for survival of patients with breast cancer.