Anemia after surgery and before chemo

[johe236]

My friend had a TAH and debalking for ovarian cancer 3 weeks ago. She has since met with the GYN oncologist and diagnosed with stage 2 c clear cell ovarian cancer. She's in the process of starting chemo and her regular GYN doc found her to be anemic and want her to start on iron. Is this the right treatment for anemia pre-chemo?
Thanks

[Annekathryn Goodman, M.D.]

Hi There,

There are several approaches to the management of anemia. Anemia means that the component of the blood called the red blood cells is low. this is measured in a blood test in several ways:
hematocrit and hemoglobin levels are the most common ways of checking for anemia in a blood test called a CBC (complete blood count).

for mild anemia, dietary changes and iron supplementation is very appropriate. Addition of a multivitamin is reasonable as anemia can also be secondary to vitamin B 12 deficiency.

For moderate anemia, iron plus an agent that stimulates the blood marrow to produce more red cells may be indicated. The two products available in the United States include procrit (epogen) and aranesp.  There has been some new information to suggest that using these agents for mild anemia is inappropriate

For significant anemia, it may be necessary to give a blood transfusion.

There is a very nice summary on anemia in wikipedia. Here is the link.
take care

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemia

[Teresa222]

When I became anemic during chemo, my oncologist told me to take iron too.  I guess it sounds so simple that we worry there should be something more to do for it. I didn't take the iron, by the way.  My anemia went away due to dietary changes.  I knew if I added iron, my constipation would never be controlled.  At that time, getting rid of constipation was more important to me.  Your friend probably needs to take the iron as the doctor ordered.  I take a multi-vitamin with iron, now that I've completed chemo.
Teresa