The impact of hemoglobin level and transfusion on the outcomes of chemotherapy in gastric cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of hemoglobin levels in predicting outcomes and evaluate whether transfusion could improve the outcomes of chemotherapy on gastric cancer patients. METHODS A total 310 patients were divided into two groups: high Hb group (Hb >90 g/L) and low Hb group (Hb <90 g/L). A portion of patients in low Hb group received transfusion. The effect of hemoglobin level on the chemotherapy outcomes was determined according to the comparison between patients with high hemoglobin and patients with low hemoglobin without transfusion. The effect of transfusion on the chemotherapy outcomes was evaluated by comparing the two low groups (with and without transfusion). RESULTS A total of 310 patients were within the study criteria. Among them, 27.7% patients in high Hb group, 44.5% patients in low Hb without transfusion and 27.7% patients in low Hb with transfusion were followed up. The 5-years survival rates of high Hb group, low Hb group without transfusion and with transfusion were respectively 29%, 10% and 8%. The survival rate of patients in Hb group without transfusion was higher. The chemotherapy rates of patients in high Hb group, low Hb without transfusion group and with transfusion group were respectively 32.56%, 42.03% and 18.6%. CONCLUSION Low nadir Hb (<90 g/L) during chemotherapy had an effect on the survival and chemotherapy response rate. The chemotherapy outcomes could not be improved through increasing Hb level by red blood cell (RBC) transfusion.