Assessment of Hematological Parameters Alteration and Associated Factors among Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy at Worabe Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Worabe, Central Ethiopia
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Date
2025-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer that forms tumors in the tissues of the
breast and is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Chemotherapy, the most effective
treatment for breast cancer, targets not only cancer cells but also rapidly dividing healthy cells,
including the bone marrow cells. These bone marrow cell damages can reduce the quality of life
of the patient.
Objective: To determine hematological parameter alteration and associated risk factors in breast
cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at Worabe Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from
December 2023 to December 2024, Worabe, Central Ethiopia.
Methods: A cohort study design with primary and secondary data was implemented in breast
cancer patients receiving chemotherapy at Worabe Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. After
receiving consent, patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified. Sociodemographic
and clinical information were gathered by using a structured questionnaire and from
the patient's file. About 3-4 ml of blood was collected and analyzed by using a Sysmex 550
hematological analyzer throughout four chemotherapy cycles. The data were entered and analyzed
using SPSS version 27. The data were summarized and described by using descriptive statistics.
Non-parametric tests (Friedman, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis with Bonferroni
correction) were employed for statistical analysis, due to the non-normal distribution of the data.
Result: This study of 43 female breast cancer patients revealed significant decreases in median
values for RBC count (4.70 to 4.27 ×10⁶/μl), hemoglobin (13.60 to 12.60 g/dl), hematocrit (39.6
to 36.7%), MCH (29.3 to 28.9 pg), and MCHC (34.3 to 33.3 g/dl), but the RDW and MCV
significantly rose. While the WBC parameters, including total WBC, neutrophil, and lymphocyte
counts, also decreased significantly. The platelet counts rose insignificantly. The sociodemographic
like residence and clinical factors, such as stage of cancer and age, were affect RBC
count, hemoglobin level, MCV, and MCH during chemotherapy. The total WBC and platelet count
during the treatment of chemotherapy were affected by metastasis of the cancer, occupation, and
stage of the cancer, but many findings weren’t significant after Bonferroni correction.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that breast cancer chemotherapy can significantly impact
most hematological profiles, including RBC count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total WBC count,
neutrophil count, and lymphocyte count. The platelet count shows an insignificant increment.
Stage and metastasis of the cancer and residence of the patient increase the effect of chemotherapy.
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Keywords
Hematological parameter, Breast cancer, Chemotherapy