Tumor anemia
As tumor anemia , the anemia (technical terminology is called anemia ), which in malignant tumors ( cancer may develop). Like anemia in chronic inflammatory diseases, it is a non-specific accompanying symptom of the underlying disease.
Pathogenesis
There is enough iron in the iron stores. Due to the inhibitory effect of certain inflammatory mediators, this can not be used in full for blood formation . Not enough iron is passed on from the bone marrow macrophages to the cells that form blood. In addition, the production of erythropoietin is reduced.
features
Normocytic-normochromic (size of red blood cells and blood pigment content normal) or microcytic-hypochromic (small red blood cells with little blood pigment) anemia occurs. The ferritin level is normal or increased (iron stores full).
Web links
- Relevant guideline from the German Cancer Society ( Memento from July 2, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF; 162 kB)