Blood transfusion and lung cancer recurrence

Cancer. 1988 Aug 1;62(3):606-10. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(19880801)62:3<606::aid-cncr2820620327>3.0.co;2-q.

Abstract

Recent reports have suggested that perioperative blood transfusions may adversely affect prognosis after resection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To determine the impact of perioperative transfusion on the recurrence-free interval, the status of 352 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for pathologic Stages I and II NSCLC was investigated. Transfused patients were significantly older than untransfused patients (P = 0.0009) but were not significantly different in sex distribution (P = 0.12) or tumor stage (P = 0.09). Recurrence was not significantly different in transfused patients when compared with patients who received no blood (P = 0.23) even when stratified for stage (Stage I, P = 0.58; Stage II, P = 0.14). Furthermore, the number of units transfused was not associated with time to tumor recurrence (P = 0.58). Contrary to other reports, these results do not support the contention that perioperative blood transfusion is significantly associated with decreased recurrence-free survival.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Blood Group Antigens
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Intraoperative Period
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local*
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • Transfusion Reaction*

Substances

  • Blood Group Antigens