Welcome. Same type of original cancer here, and similar problems with low blood. EPO's like procrit, epogen are controversial especially with active cancer, and blood transfusions are usually recommended instead, and fast acting in dangerous levels, but both have their risks, one with possible speeding up cancer, increase in tumor size, and latter, recurrence. If the anemia can be corrected with Iron, B12 or diet that is preferred also, if these deficiencies are the cause. Usually its due to the chemo, radiation suppressing bone marrow production, and may correct itself upon completion of treatment, and recovery. A transfusion or two is usually sufficient enough to bring the Hemoglobin to a satisfactory level...above 9 (up one point each trans) and hospitals usually do this until it gets to that level before discharge. Normal range for males is between 13.8 -18. One thing recommended, and is protocol. is not to have an EPO injection when your Hemoglobin is above 12, and my local oncologist does not give it when mine reaches above 10 to reduce these risks. My last treatment oncologist does not give EPO injections, only blood transfusions, and my local oncologist, who I regularly see, agreed not to give any injections during my treatments or when a tumor is possibly active. Anyway, both help with your QOL, and anemia can cause chemo and radio resistance, so it's a difficult choice. Good luck with everything.



10/09 T1N2bM0 Tonsil
11/09 Taxo Cisp 5-FU, 6 Months Hosp
01/11 35 IMRT 70Gy 7 Wks
06/11 30 HBO
08/11 RND PNI
06/12 SND PNI LVI
08/12 RND Pec Flap IORT 12 Gy
10/12 25 IMRT 50Gy 6 Wks Taxo Erbitux
10/13 SND
10/13 TBO/Angiograph
10/13 RND Carotid Remove IORT 10Gy PNI
12/13 25 Protons 50Gy 6 Wks Carbo
11/14 All Teeth Extract 30 HBO
03/15 Sequestromy Buccal Flap ORN
09/16 Mandibulectomy Fib Flap Sternotomy
04/17 Regraft hypergranulation Donor Site
06/17 Heart Attack Stent
02/19 Finally Cancer Free Took 10 yrs