The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has published new guidelines on anemia and neutropenia.
The paper, titled “Anemia and Neutropenia, Low Red and White Blood Cell Counts,” is funded by the NCCN Foundation and endorsed by The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The free information source is designed to help people living with cancer and caregivers recognize symptoms of blood cell deficiencies caused by cancer or chemotherapy—and increase engagement with their oncology care team about management and support.
Chemotherapy and certain cancers can slow the body’s production of red blood cells, platelets, and white blood cells. Anemia can cause tiredness and headaches, while neutropenia and thrombocytopenia often go unnoticed before reaching severely low levels. All three conditions can cause dangerous complications or require delays in cancer treatment.
Elizabeth Griffiths, associate professor at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, chairs the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines Panel for Hematopoietic Growth Factors, which is responsible for maintaining and updating the clinical guidelines from which the patient guidelines are derived.
“It’s important for patients getting chemotherapy to be aware that there are supportive treatments, to learn about what they offer, and to know what to expect,” Griffiths said in a statement. “Depending on the patient’s situation, there are pluses and minuses for treatments like medications or growth factors, and the patient guidelines aim to present balanced information on these options in a patient-friendly manner.”
There are several options available to help patients with anemia and neutropenia. Treatments can range from simple rest and careful monitoring, to medications or infusions of biological agents (growth factors) that help the body produce more blood cells.
The new NCCN Guidelines for Patients outline the causes of anemia and neutropenia as well as warning signs and potential management options that patients and caregivers can discuss with physicians.
The publication offers important information in accessible, easy-to-understand language to help patients play an active role in their cancer care decisions. The patient guidelines are based on the renowned clinical NCCN Guidelines which are created by multidisciplinary teams of experts from across NCCN Member Institutions and used by health care professionals all over the world.
