Objectives: Anemia is a common complication of myelo-suppressive chemotherapy. Severe anemia is treated with red blood cell transfusion. Mild-to-moderate anemia are managed conservatively. There is no established benchmark for hemoglobin of patients to guide a global best practice and enhance treatment outcome. This study examines the change in Hb levels of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy measuring Hb after treatment. Methods: About 100 voluntary patients with solid malignancies were recruited within 8 months. Baseline demographic characteristics and tumours types were documented. Pre-treatment Hb level was measured on the first day of consultation and repeated every 2 weeks during and after the therapy until after three consecutive Hb readings. Results: Breast 68% (68) was the commonest site of tumor. Prevalence of anemia was 72% and most patients had their Hb within the range of 9.60 to 10.62 g/dl after treatment. At P-value >0.05 and SD there was no statistical significance on distribution of mean hemoglobin values, were independent of sex and type of treatment. Conclusion: Chemotherapy has no effect on Hb level between 11 to 12 g/dl. Prevalence of anemia in the cohort of patients was 72%. We recommend a benchmark minimum of Hb of 11 g/dl for patients.

PURPOSE:Fibrotic sequelae remain the most important dose-limiting toxicity of radiation therapy to soft tissue. Functionally, this is reflected in loss of range of motion and muscle strength and the development of limb edema and pain. Tumor necrosis factor alpha and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), which are abnormally elevated in irradiated tissues, may mediate radiation fibrovascular injury.PATIENTS AND METHODS:In an open label drug trial, we studied the effects of pentoxifylline (400 mg orally tid for 8 weeks) on 30 patients who displayed late, radiation-induced fibrosis at 1 to 29 years posttreatment (40 to 84 Gy). The primary outcome measurement was change in physical impairments thought to be secondary to radiation, including active and passive range of motion (AROM and PROM), muscle strength, limb edema, and pain. Plasma levels of cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha and FGF2) also were measured. Twenty-seven patients completed baseline and 8-week assessments, and 24 patients completed baseline, 8-week, and 16-week assessments.RESULTS:After 8 weeks of pentoxifylline intervention, 20 of 23 patients with impaired AROM and 19 of 22 with impaired PROM improved; 11 of 19 patients with muscle weakness showed improved motor strength; five of seven patients with edema had decreased limb girth; and nine of 20 patients had decreased pain. Pretreatment FGF2 levels dropped from an average of 44.9 pg/mL to 24.0 pg/mL after 8 weeks of treatment.CONCLUSION:Patients receiving pentoxifylline demonstrated improved AROM, PROM, and muscle strength and decreased limb edema and pain. Reversal of these delayed radiation effects was associated with a decrease in circulating FGF2.