Publications

Haematological derangements accompany breast cancer management particularly in our local settingwhere such derangements appear to be common within the general population. Anaemia, leucopeniaand thrombocytosis arising from possible tumour-mediated immunosuppression and chemotherapeuticinterruption of normal haemopoiesis occur frequently among breast cancer patients. Depending on thedegree of reduction in cellular elements of blood, blood transfusion is often required to correct severesituations. Thus, haematological changes in stored whole blood may influence the clinical outcome. Aprospective observational study was conducted on fresh whole blood collected in a CPDA1 blood bagstored at 2-6 degree Celsius. Haematological parameters such as red cell count, haemoglobinconcentration, Pack cell volume, red cell viability, plasma percentage haemoloysis, total white cell count,and platelet count were measured sequentially by standard methods on daily basis up to day 35. Thedata were presented as figures. Red cell count, haemoglobin concentration, pack cell volume, red cellviability, total white cell count, and platelet count decrease at varying degrees while percentagehaemoloysis increased progressively up to 35 days. There are varying reductions in the cellularelements of whole blood stored up to 35 days, thus making stored blood less ideal for managingconditions with profound blood cell depletion such as exists in breast cancer