IV Iron Infusions Not Linked to Worse Survival in People with Cancer

Iron deficiency is common in people with cancer. It can cause anemia, which happens when the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Doctors often recommend intravenous (IV) iron infusions to raise iron levels, improve red blood cell counts, and reduce the need for blood transfusions. 

But researchers have not known whether IV iron affects survival. A new study found that IV iron infusions were not linked to worse survival in people with cancer and iron deficiency. 

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Why iron is important

Iron helps the body make red blood cells. When iron levels are low, people may develop symptoms such as:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness

Doctors sometimes recommend an IV iron infusion to treat low iron levels. IV iron is given through a vein and can raise iron levels more quickly than iron pills.

Researchers studied more than 9,500 patients

Researchers reviewed health records from adults with solid tumors and iron deficiency.

The study included two groups:

• 4,802 patients who received IV iron
• 4,751 patients who did not receive IV iron

Researchers compared survival between the groups. They also accounted for factors that can affect survival, such as age, cancer type, anemia, iron levels, and cancer treatment.

Survival was similar in both groups

Researchers found no meaningful difference in survival between the two groups.

Patients who received IV iron were alive for a median of 875 days after entering the study. Patients who did not receive IV iron were alive for a median of 858 days. 

The difference was small. Researchers found no evidence that IV iron increased the risk of death.

These insights support the safety of IV iron in people with cancer and iron deficiency.

Iron levels provided important information

Researchers also examined blood tests related to iron levels.

One important test was transferrin saturation. This test measures how much iron is available for the body to use.

Patients with very low transferrin saturation had poorer survival than those with higher levels.

Researchers also found that anemia was linked to poorer survival. This included both iron deficiency anemia and anemia caused by long-term illness.

These findings suggest that iron levels and anemia may provide important information about a person's overall health.

Survival differed by cancer type

Researchers found differences in survival among cancer types.

Patients with cancers of the digestive system, lungs, urinary tract, and central nervous system had higher mortality rates.

Patients with breast cancer and thyroid cancer generally had better survival rates.

These findings were expected because cancer types can behave in different ways and may not respond to treatment the same way. 

Managing iron deficiency during cancer care

This study found that IV iron was not linked to worse survival in people with cancer and iron deficiency. Researchers also found that anemia and certain iron tests provided important information about a person's overall health.

If you have an iron deficiency or anemia, talk with your healthcare team about testing and treatment options. Treating low iron levels may help improve symptoms such as fatigue and support your overall care plan. 

Source: 

• Overall survival after intravenous iron use in patients with cancer and iron deficiency: A propensity-matched real-world study.