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Erschienen in:
01.05.2009 | Head and Neck Oncology
Decrease in Hemoglobin Levels Following Surgery Influences the Outcome in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated with Accelerated Postoperative Radiotherapy
Erschienen in: Annals of Surgical Oncology | Ausgabe 5/2009
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Aim
To assess the influence of hemoglobin (Hb) levels in locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) patients treated with surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (PORT).
Material and Methods
Pre- and postoperative Hb levels were collected in 79 patients treated with surgery followed by accelerated PORT for LAHNC. Median follow-up was 52 months (range 12–95 months).
Results and Discussion
Four-year overall survival (OS) rate was 51%. Neither pre- nor postoperative Hb level (<120 or 130 g/l in women or men, respectively) influenced the outcome. However, when Hb decrease between pre- and postoperative Hb values was taken into account, 4-year OS was significantly higher in patients with Hb difference less than 38 g/l (quartile value) compared with those with Hb decrease 38 g/l or more (61% versus 16%, P = 0.008).
Conclusion
Decrease in Hb level by more than 38 g/l after surgery secondary to blood loss influences the outcome when postoperative RT is indicated.