Recombinant Human Erythropoietin (rhEPO) in Clinical Oncology: Scientific and Clinical Aspects of Anemia in Cancer [Paperback]

Anemia is a frequent complication of cancer and its treatment. It produces many symptoms and significantly impairs metabolic and physiologic functions as well as patients' activity, well-being and quality of life. Life expectancy is also affected. This book, now being published in its second edition, comprehensively presents the current knowledge on anemia in cancer and its treatment with rhEPO. Future developments are also discussed. Based on updated and new chapters, including a broader spectrum of topics, outstanding international experts describe the scientific and clinical aspects of anemia in various fields of oncology and give diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations on when and how to use rhEPO. The book, considered as a standard work, will again serve as an essential source of information for radiotherapists, medical oncologists, hematologists, internists, pediatricians, surgeons, specialists in transfusion and laboratory medicine, and pharmacologists.Physiology of erythropoiesis.- Biology of EPO and EPO-receptor.- The role of erythropoietin receptor expression on tumor cells.- Problems associated with erythropoietin receptor determination on tumor cells.- Definition, classification and characterization of anemia in cancer.- Pathophysiology of anemia in cancer.- Prevalence and incidence of anemia and risk factors for anemia in patients with cancer.- Significance of anemia in cancer chemotherapy.- Incidence and impact of anemia in radiation oncology.- Relationship between hemoglobin levels and tumor oxygenation.- Tumor hypoxia and therapeutic resistance.- Symptoms of anemia.- Impact of anemia and red blood cell transfusion on organ function.- Relationship of hemoglobin, fatigue, and quality of life in anemic cancer patients.- When to use red blood cell transfusions in cancer patients with solid tumours?.- Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and safety of recombinant human erythropoietin preparations.- Epoetin treatment of anemia associated with multiple myelomalS+