Here is a reprint of an FDA advisory on the subject. This was published in May, 2007, the first advisories started appearing in March of 2007.

Specifically: "Head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation therapy had faster tumor growth when ESAs were adjusted to maintain hemoglobin levels higher than 12 g/dL." (emphasis added)

I would recommend speaking with your MO to see if the blood tests you had ever revealed exceeding these levels. One could infer that the danger is substantially lower in patients having hemoblobin levels below that amount.

See this link for the full advisory:

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/psn/transcript.cfm?show=63#2

In an unrelated advisory about RF ablation for lung tumors. This may be of interest to some having recurrence issues. Glenn had RF ablation for his lung mets.

http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety/121107-rfablation.html


Last edited by Gary; 03-15-2008 09:30 AM.
Gary Allsebrook
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Dx 11/22/02, SCC, 6 x 3 cm Polypoid tumor, rt tonsil, Stage III/IVA, T3N0M0 G1/2
Tx 1/28/03 - 3/19/03, Cisplatin ct x2, IMRT, bilateral, with boost, x35(69.96Gy)
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"You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14 NIV)