Erythropoietin may be administered in a patient with cancer to help correct anemia or as prophylaxis during chemotherapy. The response can be evaluated using hematologic criteria.
Correction of Anemia
Parameters:
(1) hematocrit value
(2) hematocrit increment
(3) transfusion needs
Hematocrit
Transfusion Need
Response
normal
none
complete
hematocrit >= 30%, AND hematocrit increment >= 6%
none
major
NA
transfusion needs reduced by >= 50%
minor
hematocrit < 30% AND hematocrit increment >= 6%
NA
minor
hematocrit >= 30% AND hematocrit increment < 6%
NA
minor
hematocrit < 30% AND hematocrit increment < 6%
transfusion needs not reduced or reduced < 50%
failure
Prophylaxis during Chemotherapy
If a cancer patient is receiving erythropoietin during chemotherapy to prevent anemia:
(1) complete response: maintenance of normal hematocrit
(2) major response: decrease in hematocrit < 6%
(3) minor response: decrease in hematocrit >= 6% but without need for transfusion
(4) failure: decrease in hematocrit >= 6% and requiring transfusion
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