The severity of anemia does not correlate with the risk of gastrointestinal cancer in subsequent evaluation

Abstract

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a risk factor for gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. Little is known regarding the correlation between the depth of anemia and the risk for GI malignancy. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that very low hemoglobin levels pose an additional risk compared to low hemoglobin levels.

Methods: Patients 40–70 years old, presenting to the ER with IDA during years 2016–2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Comparison was performed between two groups, one with a very low hemoglobin level (below 8 g/dL) and the other a low hemoglobin level (between 8–10 g/dL).

Results: 1020 patients were analyzed, and 107 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Seventy-five patients (70%) were in the very low hemoglobin group and 21 patients (19.6%) were diagnosed with a new GI malignancy. Mean age was 56, 49 (45%) were females, and 68 (63%) underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) or/and colonoscopy during the index hospitalization. The median hemoglobin and MCV were 7.3 G/dL, and 73 fL, respectively. New malignancies were found in 15/75 (20%) and 6/32 (19%) of patients with very low and low hemoglobin levels, respectively (p = .88). GI malignancies were more commonly found in females compared to males, 14 (29%) vs. 7 (12%), p = .032, respectively. The right colon was the most common site for malignancy. Active GI bleeding was not a risk factor for GI malignancy.

Conclusions: Very low hemoglobin levels and overt GI bleeding do not pose an additional risk factor for GI malignancy, compared to low hemoglobin levels and no overt GI bleeding.

Keywords:

• Iron deficiency anemia
• gastrointestinal malignancy
• severe anemia
• overt bleeding
• colorectal cancer

Disclosure statement

No conflict of interest for any of the author(s).