Hematologic Complications and Blood Bank Support

Abstract

Overview Many of the fundamental therapies used to treat cancer (e.g., chemotherapy, stem cell transplantation) disrupt normal hematopoiesis in the bone marrow. As a result, blood transfusion for patients with cancer is an essential supportive modality. The primary focus of this article is on “classical” blood component support: how red cells, plasma, platelets, and granulocytes are collected, tested, stored, and administered to address specific deficiencies in patients with cancer. Particular attention is paid to studies of prophylactic platelet transfusion, which over the past several decades has been critical in allowing myelosuppressive treatments to be applied to a variety of malignant disease states. Current infectious risks of blood products are reviewed.