Use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents in breast cancer patients: a risk review.

Purpose: The treatment of cancer-induced anemia with erythropoietin-stimulating agents (ESAs) is reviewed.

Summary: Before the introduction of ESAs, the only treatment option for cancer-related anemia was red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. The use of ESAs in multiple disease states has been well established and is now considered first-line treatment for many forms of anemia.