Abstract
To evaluate the efficacy of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) for gastrointestinal cancer surgery, we performed preoperative blood donation in 31 patients (3 with esophageal cancer, 5 with gastric cancer, 9 with liver cancer, 4 with pancreatic cancer, 3 with biliary tract cancer, 2 with colon cancer, 5 with rectal cancer), who were to undergo elective surgery. These patients were divided into two groups by r-HuEPO administration methods. Fifteen patients with hemoglobin concentrations under 13.0g/dl received r-HuEPO administration subcutaneously before autologous blood donation and on the same day of autologous blood donation (pre EPO (+) group). Sixteen patients with hemoglobin concentrations more than 13.0g/dl received r-HuEPO administration once a week without pre r-HuEPO (pre EPO (-) group). In the pre EPO (+) group, initial hemoglobin concentrations were 11.9±1.0g/dl and increased to 12.6±1.3g/dl, indicating a significant increase. The amount of donated autologous blood in the pre EPO (+) group and the pre EPO (-) group were 914±195ml, 1, 040±219ml. This study indicates the safety of autologous blood donation and the effectiveness of rh-EPO administration before autologous blood donation in anemic patients with gastrointestinal cancer.
