The influence of blood transfusions upon the recurrence rate of colorectal cancer.

A retrospective study of 325 consecutive patients suffering colorectal adenocarcinoma, allowed in 141, the determination of the influence of blood transfusion upon the risk of recurrence/metastases over a minimum observation period of 6 months. Of 29 patients not receiving blood transfusion, 6 were subjected to recurrence/metastases. Of 112 patients receiving blood transfusion, 45 suffered recurrence/metastases. No significant difference in the risk of developing recurrence/metastases was seen when the primary tumor was Dukes' class A and C. When the primary tumor was Dukes' class B, a significantly higher risk of recurrence/metastases was seen in the group receiving blood transfusion. A constrained use of blood transfusion in connection with colorectal surgery is recommended until definitive immunological studies determined the influence of blood transfusion upon the risk of recurrence/metastases.