Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Anemia is a condition seen over 10% of geriatric population, frequency of which increases with age, and negatively affects the quality of life. Anemia is often encountered both during the course of cancer disease, and as a result of the cancer treatments applied. However, there is small number of epidemiologic research about incidence of anemia in cancer patients.The aim of the study is to investigate incidence of anemia in patients diagnosed with lung cancer and its relationship with histopathologicaly diagnosed types of cancer.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated database of patients with lung cancer who applied to oncology polyclinics between June 2012 and December 2012.

RESULTS

Newly diagnosed 74 lung cancer patients with age of 65 years and older, were enrolled to the study.

According to WHO criteria; females with hemoglobin (Hb)<12 g/dl, hematocrit (Htc)<36%; males, Hb<13 g/dl, Htc<39% were considered to be anemic.The mean age of 74 patients was 71.4±7,711 (min: 65 max: 85). 63 (85.1%) of cases were male, and 11% (14.9) were female. Mean hb was found as 12.75±1,666 and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was found as 87,14 ± 7,711. The histopathological types of cancer were 43.2% (n=32) squamous cell carcinoma, 27% (n=20) small cell lung cancer, 23% (n=17) adenocarcinoma and 6.8% (n=5) other type. There was no statistically significant relationship between histopathologic cancer type and frequency of anemia and MCV. Frequency of macrocytic and microcytic anemia in females was significantly higher than males (p=0.04).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

In conclusion; anemia in elderly patients with lung cancer is a condition that negatively effects both the overall quality of life, prognosis of the disease, and treatment response. It is suggested that before treatment of lung cancer, all patients should be evaluated in terms of anemia and administration of necessary treatment is recommended.