Fréquence de l’anémie chez les patients français atteints de tumeurs solides ou d’hémopathies malignes: résultats de l’«European Cancer Anaemia Survey (ECAS)».

Anaemia is a serious and frequent complication of cancer and its treatment. ECAS was conducted in 24 European countries. 15,367 patients were enrolled and followed-up to 6 months in 2001. 1,335 patients affected by solid tumours or haematological diseases were enrolled in France. Disease status at enrollment was newly diagnosed with or without treatment, some patients had persistent/recurrent disease and some were in remission. Cancer treatments were chemotherapy, radiotherapy, radiochemotherapy or no treatment at all. At enrollment, 49.4 % of the French patients were anaemic (hb < 12 g/dL). Anaemia was noted in all cancer types, being solid tumours or haematological diseases, and whatever the disease status or the treatment. Low Hb rate correlated significantly with poor performance status during the entire survey. 75% of the French population were anaemic at some points during the 6 month study. Of patients who were not anaemic at enrollment, 58% became anaemic during chemotherapy. Only 40% of anaemic patients received anaemia treatment during the survey. This high frequency of anaemia in cancer patients was observed in all European countries. Anaemia remains a complication that is too rarely treated in cancer patients in Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]