Background: Allogeneic blood transfusions (BTFs) are sometimes required for radical gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection for advanced gastric cancer (GC). The prognostic impact of perioperative BTF in GC is controversial.
Methods: Clinical data were collected retrospectively from 250 consecutive patients who underwent curative gastric resection for stage II/III GC. The prognostic impact of BTF on patient survival was evaluated. Subgroup analysis was performed according to units of blood transfused, timing of BTF, type of gastrectomy, splenectomy, intraoperative estimated blood loss, and year of surgery.
Results: Fifty-seven (22.8%) patients underwent perioperative BTF. Patients who received BTF experienced a significantly shorter disease-specific survival after curative surgery, and multivariable analysis identified perioperative BTF as an independent prognostic factor for cancer-related death (hazard ratio, 1.80; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-3.02; p = 0.032). The BTF group experienced significantly lower recurrence-free survival rate and a higher rate of initial peritoneal recurrence. The amount of blood cells transfused had less impact on prognosis. Pre- or postoperative BTF without intraoperative BTF had limited influence on postoperative prognosis. Prognosis of patients was affected by splenectomy. Even when intraoperative blood loss exceeded 800 ml, the prognosis of the non-BTF group was more favorable. The prognostic impact of BTF became less clear after introduction of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1.
Conclusions: BTF was an independent prognostic factor in patients with stage II/III GC after curative gastrectomy. To improve prognosis, BTF should be avoided when possible, particularly during surgery.
Keywords: Gastric cancer; Prognosis; Splenectomy; Transfusion.