The possible immunosuppressive effects of perioperative blood transfusion in cancer patients

Abstract

Several investigators have presented evidence that perioperative blood transfusions may adversely affect outcome in cancer patients. This is only one of the many possible risks associated with blood transfusions, but one that has received less attention at a time when concern about transmission of disease by blood transfusion dominates both the popular and the medical press. We believe transfusions should be administered only after very careful consideration of the special risks versus benefits in cancer patients. Blood banking and anesthetic and operative practices that reduce the need for blood transfusion should be pursued vigorously, and packed red blood cells instead of whole blood should be administered when transfusion is clearly indicated in patients with malignancies.