European Journal of Gynaecological Oncology (EJGO) is published by IMR Press from Volume 40 Issue 1 (2019). Previous articles were published by another publisher on a subscription basis, and they are hosted by IMR Press on imrpress.com as a courtesy and upon agreement with S.O.G.
The use of erythropoietin in gynecologic cancer patients
Purpose: To investigate the possible benefits of erythroproietin ingestion in patients with various gynecological cancers with proven severe iron deficiency anemia. Method: Seven patients with gynecological cancer were included in the study. Nadir hematocrit values were found to be 20-24% before the initiation of recombinant human erythropoietin treatment. Initial therapy started at 50 µ/kg/dose, three times weekly for a month. The dose was modified according to the rise of hemoglobin after a month's period. The dose was modified according to the rise of hemoglobin after a month's period. If the rise was greater than 2 g/dl the dose was changed to 25 µ/kg two times weekly and if it was less than 2 g/dl it was changed to 25 µ/kg three times weekly per month. Five patients were simultaneously given erythropoietin therapy and iron supplementation. Results: We confirmed a rise in the hematocrit values which averaged 0.5-1.5% weekly till the upper limit. Reticulocyte and hematocrit values were higher in the erythropoietin plus iron group (five cases). Conclusion: In this small series, erythropoietin appeared to be effective in treating severe iron deficiency in gynecologic cancer patients. Further investigation is needed to confirm these results.