Assessment of Blood Transfusion needs for Breast Cancer Patients receiving Chemotherapy at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar

Abstract

Introduction:Haematological derangements are commonly reported in breast cancer patients. These abnormalities can manifest both before and during cancer treatment. Depending on the degree of reduction in cellular elements of blood, blood transfusion is often required to correct severe situations. Different regions of the world as well as local settings have peculiar patterns regarding transfusion needs.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study adopted purposive sampling technique to enroll 55 breast cancer patients who were accessing chemotherapy at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Calabar, Southern Nigeria. The ABO and Rhesus grouping were carried out by standard tube method. Blood transfusion requests were followed up at the Blood Transfusion Services section of Haematology Laboratory of the Hospital.

Results: Those with blood group O were 61.8% followed by blood group A which recorded 21.8%, while blood group B was 16.4%. None of the subjects belonged to blood group AB. All the participants were Rhesus ‘D’ positive. Out of the 55 enrolled subjects, 37 of them which constituted 67.3% received whole blood transfusion during this study, while 18 of them making up   32.7% were not transfused. The indications for transfusion among the transfused ones showed that majority (62%) of the transfused persons had cytopenia while those who had anaemia alone were 38%. The extent of blood cell deficit varied among transfused subjects. consequently, some of the subjects received single transfusion, while others received multiple transfusion to enable them receive the chemotherapy dose. Transfusion of 2 units ranked highest as received by 41%, followed closely by 1 unit transfusion for 35% of the subjects.

Conclusion:  Blood transfusion needs for breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy was mainly within two units of blood.