RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The pattern of fetal hemoglobin changes in patients with malignancy on chemotherapy
JF Saudi Medical Journal
JO Saudi Med J
FD Prince Sultan Military Medical City
SP 1523
OP 1525
VO 27
IS 10
A1 Caroline E. Omoti
A1 Evarista O. Osime
A1 Casmir E. Omuemu
YR 2006
UL http://smj.org.sa/content/27/10/1523.abstract
AB OBJECTIVE: Production of fetal proteins by malignant tissue is a recognized phenomenon seen in many neoplastic disorders. Hence, the aim was to determine if there is a positive correlation between administration of chemotherapy and reduction in fetal hemoglobin (HbF) levels.METHODS: In a prospective study at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, 50 cancer patients at various stages of the disease and 50 controls for 10 months period (March to December, 2005), HbF was determined in pre- chemotherapy (n=23) and post-chemotherapy (n=27) cancer patients. Fetal hemoglobin was estimated by the modified Betke's method.RESULTS: A total of 20 patients (40%) comprising 10 pre-chemotherapy and 10 post-chemotherapy patients presented with increased HbF which was statistically significant (p<0.0001). There was also a significant decrease in post- chemotherapy result when both pre and post-chemotherapy values were compared (p=0.0073).CONCLUSION: The results presented indicate that during recovery of erythropoiesis some erythroblasts synthesized HbF and there was a reduction following administration of chemotherapy.