Causes and Palliation of Transfusion-Associated Vaginal Bleeding in Patients With Metastatic Cancer. Issue 1 (1st January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jackson, Amie E.; Stephens, Elisabeth K.; Jatoi, Aminah
• Is Part Of: International journal of gynecological cancer. Volume 24:Issue 1(2014)
• Page Start: 172
• Page End: 175
• Publication Date: 2014-01-01
• Subjects: Vaginal bleeding -- Uterine bleeding -- Palliation -- Hemorrhage -- Anemia; Generative organs, Female -- Cancer -- Periodicals; 616.99465
• DOI: 10.1097/IGC.0000000000000017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1048-891X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The current study was undertaken (1) to capture a clinically relevant, systematically collected series of patients with metastatic cancer and transfusion-associated vaginal bleeding and (2) to provide insight into how best to palliate this bleeding. Methods/Results: As part of a single-institution review, 46 patients with metastatic cancer and transfusion-associated vaginal bleeding were identified. In a minority, 14 (30%), the cancer itself was directly responsible for the bleeding, and under these circumstances, gynecological cancer was the most frequent cause. In 13 patients (28%), more than 1 palliative intervention was attempted. Of all the interventions, a hysterectomy was performed most frequently and was successful in 11 patients. The use of ablation or embolization procedures was rarely tried but successful in 4 patients. However, 2 patients died of vaginal bleeding, despite multiple palliative procedures to control bleeding, including tumor embolization in one. Conclusions: Transfusion-associated vaginal bleeding in patients with metastatic cancer can arise from nonmalignant causes and often assumes an uneventful course but can, at times, be serious and difficult to control.