Anemia is a very important and common problem in cancer patients. There are many different forms of anemia, each with its cause. Anemia in cancer patients is often the result of both cancer itself and chemotherapy. Moreover, anemia is a common complication for almost all cancer patients treated with chemotherapeutic agents. Anemia can be temporary or long term, and it can range from mild to severe. Several factors play a role in whether a patient will develop anemia, such as the type of the received chemotherapy, the stage of cancer and patients overall health condition. Patients with anemia experience many unwanted symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, tiredness, shortness of breath and reduced tolerance to activity.

Anemia in cancer patients is quite common and can compromise the delivery of sufficient amounts of oxygen to all cells, including tumor cells. This condition can worsen the results of radiotherapy and chemotherapy and have negative impacts on quality of life and overall survival prognosis. This is so because low tissue oxygenation is also associated with reduced sensitivity of tumors to radiation and some forms of chemotherapy, anemia is contributing to the progression of cancer.

This article focuses on the treatment of anemia with DECAMED 250 (Nandrolone Decanoate) in patients suffering from cancer. Treatments for anemia can range from taking supplements to undergoing medical procedures. DECAMED 250 (Nandrolone Decanoate) is an anabolic steroid that is effectively used in the treatment of anemia in renal failure. DECAMED 250 (Nandrolone Decanoate) is considered one of the least virilizing preparations.

Recent research was done to see if DECAMED 250 (Nandrolone Decanoate) could be safely used in the treatment of anemia in cancer patients. Methods: twenty five cancer patients, 8 males and 17 females, median age was 58 years (range 33-65), with Hemoglobin level < 10 g/dL, performance status (PS) 0-2, adequate hepatic functions, normal serum calcium and prothrombin time, life expectancy of at least 12 weeks, recovery from all acute toxicities of prior therapies were eligible. Weekly dosage of DECAMED 250 (Nandrolone Decanoate) was given intramuscularly 200 mg in male and 100 mg in female patients for 12 weeks. 13 patients had lung cancer, 5 had cholangiocarcinoma and 1 each patient had bladder, breast, stomach, rectum, colon, small cell cancer of orbit, giant cell tumor with lung metastasis. Twelve patients (48%) were responders (Hb increase ≥ 1 g/dL), by 24% respond within 4 weeks and 24% respond within 8 weeks. Four patients (12%) did not complete the study because they needed a blood transfusion. The common results were smooth skin (92%) weight gain (84%),mild erythema of face (64%), increased appetite (52%), mood swing (40%), edema (32%) and hoarseness (28%), fatigue (24%), myalgia/arthralgia (24%), increased LDL-cholesterol (20%), increased fasting blood glucose (16%), increased serum creatinine (16%), and penile erection(12%).

This research has indicated that DECAMED 250 (Nandrolone Decanoate) appears to be a safe and feasible drug which can be used for the treatment of anemia in cancer patients. In the future, this anabolic steroid could be a choice of treatment of anemia.