Anemia in patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of anemia in patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the time of initial oncologic consultation. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We reviewed 144 consecutive charts of patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC, who were seen in consultation at the Hamilton Regional Cancer Center (Canada) between January and June of 1998. RESULTS: Eighty nine patients had pre-treatment hemoglobin (Hb) levels available and 30 of those patients (33.7%) had levels below 12 gm/dl. The likelihood of anemia increased with advancing stage of underlying disease, found in 25% and 40.8% of stage III and IV patients respectively. CONCLUSION: Although only 89/144 patients had Hb results available, 33.7% had hemoglobin level below 12 g/dl. Anemia was more common with an increased burden of disease. Shortness of breath and fatigue were more commonly reported in anemic patients.