Management of lung cancer-associated anaemia: the Spanish Lung Cancer Anaemia Survey (SLCAS)

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the Spanish Lung Cancer Anaemia Survey (SLCAS) was to thoroughly investigate lung cancer-associated anaemia management, and describe the profile of lung cancer patients in relation to anaemia incidence and tumour type in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This survey collected data from 1089 randomly recruited patients gathered by 50 Spanish physicians at 38 sites. In addition, a qualitative assay was performed through 16 one-to-one and 2 one-to-two interviews, and a discussion group of 4 cancer specialists participating in the survey. RESULTS: Lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment had haemoglobin (Hb) levels <12.0 g/dl in 58.0% of the cases, in contrast to 39.0% of patients receiving no chemotherapy. Anaemia was treated in 53.0% of patients with Hb<12 g/dl (45.0% epoetin, 3.9% transfusion, 4.1% iron). Mean Hb level trigger was 9.7 g/dl for administration of epoetin and 8.2 g/dl for blood transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: SLCAS reveals a significant change in the management of anaemia and clinical practice pattern in the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (45.0% vs. 18.0%) and much less use of blood transfusions (3.9% vs. 15.0%) since the European Cancer Anaemia Survey performed five years ago (AU)