Clinical benefits of parenteral iron carboxymaltose in patients with colorectal cancer: a retrospective observational study

Background. The high incidence of anemia in colorectal cancer and its severe consequences for patients determine the need for timely diagnosis and correction of this condition. At the same time, it is extremely important to choose a method for correcting anemia, allowing to achieve maximum efficiency and safety.

Aim. To evaluate perioperative methods for correcting iron deficiency anemia in patients with colorectal cancer based on a comparative analysis of the clinical results of intravenous administration of iron carboxymaltose and transfusion of blood components.

Materials and methods. The results of treatment of 594 patients with colorectal cancer operated on in 2022 at the department of surgical treatment methods No. 3 (abdominal oncology No. 1) of the Volgograd Regional Clinical Oncology Dispensary were studied. Stratification of patients into groups was carried out using the method of pseudo-randomization by sex and age to eliminate confounding errors. After pseudo-randomization in a 1:1 ratio, the sample of patients with anemia was divided into 2 groups (main group – 124 patients, in whose treatment blood-saving techniques and parenteral administration of iron carboxymaltose were used, and control group – 124 patients, for treatment of anemia in which transfusions of blood components were used). In 98 (39.5%) cases hemicolectomies were performed, in 88 (35.5%) – anterior resections of the rectum, in 36 (14.5%) – resections of the sigmoid colon, in 18 (7.3%) – extirpations of the rectum, in 8 (3.2%) – resection of the transverse colon, 217 (87.5%) operations were performed through laparotomy access, 31 (12.5%) using minimally invasive technologies.

Results. The frequency of postoperative complications of grade III–V according to Clavien–Dindo score in the main group (4.8%, 6/124) was statistically significantly lower compared to the control group (14.5%, 18/124) [χ2=6.643; p=0.01]. Postoperative mortality in the main group was 0.8% (1/124), in the control group – 5.6% (7/124) [χ2=4.65; p=0.032].

Conclusion. The use of blood-saving technologies with parenteral administration of iron carboxymaltose in patients with colorectal cancer leads to a reduction in the number of postoperative complications and the level of postoperative mortality.