chronic anemia

Does anyone have a loved one that has been diagnosed with cancer and suffers from chronic anemia because of it?  My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer and just isn't strong enough due to chronic anemia.  We've had to stop the chemo because the blood levels just aren't high enough and therefore he's very weak and just sleeps all the time.  He keeps having blood transfusions but they just don't keep his blood level up there very long.  Has anyone had problems with this and can offer any help? 

Hello Neander.

 My mother has stage 3b adenocarcinoma that has spread to her brain, and there is an in operable tumor in the lining of her lungs.  Her lymph nodes in her throat are affected as well I think.  The side effects of the chemo and radiation caused anemia for her as well.  She gets an injection of Procrit from time to time, and that seems to be of some benefit.  You should talk to your doctor about adding iron (either in enriched foods or supplements) to your dad's diet as well.  The chemo is notorious for causing extreme fatigue.

I hope this helps some. 

Dad gets iron by IV as well almost every week when he goes and sees his oncologist.  So, he's been getting the iron by IV as well as Procrit shots and he has also gotten another shot to boost him but can't remember the name of that.  Plus he gets blood transfusions.  His blood just never seems to increase to the normal level even after blood transfusions, iron, etc.  We don't understand why the blood transfusions are not bringing up his blood levels and keeping them there.  Plus the fact we give him iron, etc.  We don't know where to go next.  He's also not bleeding internally as that has been checked as well. 

 

On 1/29/2007 Neander wrote:

Dad gets iron by IV as well almost every week when he goes and sees his oncologist.  So, he's been getting the iron by IV as well as Procrit shots and he has also gotten another shot to boost him but can't remember the name of that.  Plus he gets blood transfusions.  His blood just never seems to increase to the normal level even after blood transfusions, iron, etc.  We don't understand why the blood transfusions are not bringing up his blood levels and keeping them there.  Plus the fact we give him iron, etc.  We don't know where to go next.  He's also not bleeding internally as that has been checked as well. 

 

Hi.

The problem might not be with his blood then.  Perhaps a problem in his bone marrow.  A test for this is called a "reticulocyte count."  Has he had his blood checked by "flow cytometry?"  You should ask the doctor(s) about that--it might help dwindle down the possibilities.  Microcytic anemia (due to low iron absorption) could be due to a few different things.  You already ruled out internal bleeding--and that's a good thing.  There are also some common and not so common disorders related to this.  One somewhat common disorder is called "thalassemia."  But, this is a genetic disease, and would have more likely shown up earlier in his life.  The body can also hold back iron in cases of chronic disease, to where it only LOOKS like there isn't enough iron.  The drugs for cancer can cause iron deficiency as well.  This is a complicated problem that is very difficult to diagnose.  Even sometimes, too little iron actually means there's too much iron.  His other levels should be checked as well (folate, B12, B6, vitamin A and zinc).

Please write back and let me know how things went--or if you have more questions.

 

-Christopher 

Thanks so much Christopher.  I will have my mom ask the oncologist about this when they have their appt. this week.  I will let you know what we find out. 

 

 

Guess they have done most of this.  But thanks for the suggestions.