Examining Pre-and Post-chemotherapy Effects on Haemoglobin Level and Platelet Count in Breast and Colorectal Cancer Patients: A Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Oncology Clinic Study (January 2020-December 2023)
Abstract:
Aim: Chemotherapy is an essential treatment for breast cancer (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC), but it often results in significant haematological side effects, such as changes in haemoglobin levels and platelet counts. This study aims to evaluate the effects of chemotherapy on haemoglobin level and platelet count in breast and colorectal cancer patients.
Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study
Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the oncology clinic of Georgetown Public Hospital Cor poration (GPHC), Guyana, from January 2020 to December 2023.
Methodology: The study included 220 breast cancer cases and 30 colorectal cancer cases. Mean Haemoglobin (Hb) levels and platelet (Plt) counts pre- and post-chemotherapy were analysed through Paired-Samples t- tests, while linear regression was used to analyse the post- chemotherapy values against predictors such as stage of cancer and treatment regimen, gender and ethnicity.
Results: The mean age for breast cancer patients was 52.51 ± 9.0 whereas, for colorectal patients it was 54.20 ± 9.18. The most prevalent breast cancer was that of invasive ductal carcinoma (93.2%), while the most prevalent type of colorectal cancer was colon cancer (63.3%). Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (78.6%) were the primary treatment regimen for breast cancer patients. Furthermore, 50 % of colorectal cancer patients were primarily on the regimen of folinic acid, fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX). Statistically significant differences were found in both haemo globin levels and platelet counts before and after chemotherapy for both groups. For breast cancer patients, the mean difference in haemoglobin levels and platelet counts were 0.71 g/dl and 32.39 x 10^9/L respectively. For colorectal cancer patients, the mean difference in haemoglobin levels and platelet counts were 0.81 g/dl and 73.43 x 10^9/L respectively.
Conclusion: Chemotherapy significantly affects haemoglobin levels and platelet count in both breast and colorectal cancer patients.
