ABSTRACT
Use of erythropoietin (EPO) for chemotherapy-induced anemia and biphosphonates (BP) for bone metastasis has increased steadily. However, there are no guidelines on their use in many situations such as non small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), which frequently alters quality of life markedly. Therefore, a multicentric survey was designed to assess the treatment of anemia and bone metastasis in chemotherapy-treated patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Nine representative centers of the oncology working party of the French respiratory society (Groupe d'Oncologie de la Société de Pneumologie de Langue Française) participated. Inclusion criteria were stage IV NSCLC and at least one course of chemotherapy in the last 3 months. A total of 148 and 50 patients (pts) were included in the anemia and bone metastasis surveys, respectively. Anemia was present in 60.8% of patients, and was not treated in 75%; 15 patients received EPO (10.1%). Independent predictors of EPO use were presence of anemia-related symptoms, hemoglobin level, age and center: the rate of prescription in patients with anemia varied from 13 to 73% between centers. BP were administered in 38% of patients with bone metastasis. Independent predictors of BP use were calcium serum level, pain, and center with a rate of prescription ranging from 0 to 80% between centers. This study reveals that, in France, most patients with anemia are not treated, EPO being seldom prescribed. The use of both EPO and BP is highly variable between centers. Guidelines on the use of these supportive treatments could help improve the care for lung cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.
