Influence of perioperative blood transfusion on prognosis in patients with colon cancer

Abstract  Objective: To explore the influence of perioperative blood transfusion on the postoperative survival of patients with colon cancer. Methods: Univariate and multivariate retrospective analyses were performed on the survival in a total of 723 colon cancer patients which were treated surgically during a period of 10 years. Results: Kaplan-Meier estimates showed that more than 800 mL perioperative blood transfusion was the survival predictor. Blood transfusion influenced significantly the prognosis of patients 40 years old and younger, those undergoing helicoloectomy left side, those with papillary adenocarcinoma, those with big tumors (diameter ≥ 8 cm), those with stage I tumors, those with lymphatic node metastases and those without liver metastases. In multivariate analysis only the tumor location, radicality of operation, lymphatic invasion, liver metastasis, depth of tumor invasion and TNM stage retained their significance. Conclusion: Perioperative blood transfusion is the prognostic factor for patients with colon cancer to some extent. The indication of blood transfusion must be restricted strictly, specially in patients younger than 40 years old, with right side lesion, papillary adenocarcinoma, big tumors (diameter ≥ 8 cm), stage I tumors and lymphatic node metastases or without liver metastases. But perioperative blood transfusion may not be deleterious for patients with staging IV disease and with distant metastases.