Hemolytic transfusion reactions in oncology patients: experience in a large cancer center

At The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston, the incidence of hemolytic transfusion reactions over an eight-year period (1974-1981) was analyzed. Only four hemolytic transfusion reactions were reported out of 142,957 transfusions of blood (a frequency of one reaction in 35,739.25 transfusions). This could be due to the following factors: (1) Impairment of immune status related to the malignant process or temporary immunosuppression caused by intensive chemotherapy could enable patients to tolerate incompatible transfusions. (2) The reactions are overlooked or masked by the severity of disease in cancer patients in spite of an elaborate education for nurses, residents/fellows, and staff physicians about the dangers of hemolytic reactions. The figures herein reported are lower than those reported from non-oncology hospital settings.